DETROIT (7/14/2022) -- The University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan's largest and most comprehensive Catholic university and the only NCAA Division I school located in Detroit, Michigan, today announced 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 Titans' Athletic Program while outfitting the university's athletes, coaches, and community members in premier Nike product selection. 
 
The partnership, which extends over the next five years, will debut across the Titans' athletic programs, which features 17 varsity teams that compete in the Horizon League (basketball, golf, soccer, softball, cross country, track and field), Mid-American Conference (women's lacrosse) and Atlantic Sun Conference (men's lacrosse) as well as their nationally independent fencing programs.  The University of Detroit Mercy will also benefit from access to BSN SPORTS' line of custom campus branding products, expansive support teams, and  customizable online fanwear shops for Titan supporters.
 
Todd Northrop, Vice President of BSN SPORTS Collegiate Select Program said, "This agreement between Detroit Mercy, BSN SPORTS, and Nike will add tremendous value and dedicated support to the experience of the coaches, student athletes, and administrators involved with Detroit Mercy Athletics. Our team is excited to provide the Titans' program, coaches and teams with the best possible service, unparalleled access to sports equipment and premier apparel, and branding resources to continue growing Detroit Mercy's prominent athletic brand and fanbase. We are proud of this partnership and welcome the opportunity give time back to Whitman coaches on a daily basis, so they can continue focusing on positively impacting the lives of student athletes." 

"I would like to thank BSN SPORTS and Nike for working with us to develop this partnership that will ultimately enhance all of our athletics programs," said Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels, Jr. "The new partnership with BSN SPORTS and Nike is outstanding that includes an iconic brand, not only known for its shoes, but innovative technology, high quality/stylish products, celebration of competition and sports, maximum performance and self-empowerment. Overall, this partnership will greatly benefit all of our student-athletes with some of the best sporting apparel and equipment in the country."
 
Northrop concluded, "Elite partnerships like the one we have announced today fuel our passion at BSN SPORTS and affirm our highest aspirations for our partners nationwide. 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 collegiate partnership opportunities."  
 
If you would like more information regarding Collegiate Partnership opportunities with BSN SPORTS, please contact BSN SPORTS Vice President of Collegiate Select Partnerships, Todd Northrop, at tnorthrop@bsnsports.com.
 
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. 
 
About University of Detroit Mercy
Founded in 1877 by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), University of Detroit Mercy is Michigan's largest and most comprehensive Catholic university. In 1990, University of Detroit consolidated with Mercy College of Detroit, which was founded in 1941 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, to form University of Detroit Mercy. For the past several years, Detroit Mercy has ranked with the top national universities in the U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges" edition. The University ranked No. 187 for 2022 in the Best National Universities category and is one of four universities in Michigan ranked among the top 200 in the nation.
 
Media Contacts
Lisa Bartek
BSN SPORTS Director of Communications
lbartek@varsitybrands.com
817-480-3100

P.J. Gradowski
University of Detroit Mercy
gradowpj@udmercy.edu
313-585-0982