THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University Athletic Department announced Tuesday that it has established a new athletic partnership with Nike and BSN SPORTS, the nation's largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets and a division of Varsity Brands. Through this partnership, BSN SPORTS will serve as the official apparel and equipment provider to the Night Hawks Athletic Program while outfitting TU athletes and coaches in premier Nike product selection.
 
The partnership, which extends over the next five years, will debut across Thomas University's eleven Men's and Women's teams. The Night Hawks will also benefit from access to BSN SPORTS' line of custom campus branding products and customizable fanwear shops for the Thomas community.
 
Bill Stote, Senior Vice President of BSN SPORTS Collegiate Select Division, said, "This agreement between Thomas University, BSN SPORTS, and NIKE will add tremendous value and dedicated support to the experience of the coaches, athletes, and families involved with Thomas Athletics. Our team is excited to provide Night Hawk coaches and teams with the best possible service and unparalleled access to team branding tools, sports equipment and apparel to continue elevating the University's athletic presence and recognition."
 
Thomas University Athletic Director Rick Pearce was as equally excited about the partnership's potential. "The local service that BSN SPORTS provides, along with incredible product offerings from Nike, will bring valuable support and momentum behind the Thomas name for our coaches, athletes, and community" said Pearce. "Additionally, we are excited to unlock the unique branding tools and digital platforms available through BSN SPORTS that will save us time and money while providing great options for our players. This partnership gives our department the opportunity to focus on continuing to build our program, mentoring our Night Hawk athletes, and benefitting the Thomas University family including giving more opportunity for our worldwide Alumni to access Night Hawk gear."
 
Stote concluded, "Exclusive and elite partnerships like the one we have announced today fuel our passion at BSN SPORTS affirms our highest aspirations for our Collegiate Select program: delivering elite, customized products and services to our college customers. With over 1100 sales professionals servicing their communities nationwide, we are committed to elevating the experience of students and athletes and look forward to expanding premier partnership opportunities for our collegiate partners."  
 
About BSN SPORTS
Dallas-based BSN SPORTS is the leading marketer, manufacturer and distributor of sporting goods apparel and equipment. A division of Varsity Brands, BSN SPORTS markets and distributes its products to over 100,000 institutional and team sports customers in colleges and universities, middle and high schools, and recreational programs throughout the United States via catalog, e-commerce, and direct sales. Focused on providing game changing solutions through local partnerships, multi-brand selection and one-stop shopping for equipment and uniforms, BSN SPORTS' more than 3,000 employees have been helping elevate participation in team sports since 1972. For more information about BSN SPORTS please visit www.bsnsports.com.
 
About Nike, Inc.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. 
 
For up-to-date information on awards and other TU Athletics, visit www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, and feature stories of your TU sports teams by following them via Twitter at @TU_Night_Hawks.