With the pending ACC expansion on the horizon, Under Armour Performance Apparel and the University of Maryland at College Park jointly announced Saturday that the performance apparel company will be the Division I-A football team's exclusive uniform provider, which will include fan apparel and accessories, beginning with the 2004-2005 season. The five-year contract, which includes
two one-year renewal options, is the latest in a series of major successes for the eight-year-old, Baltimore-based company, and reemphasizes both organizations' commitment and dedication to improving performance for athletes.
Now ranked as the second fastest growing privately held company in the United States on the Inc. 500, Under Armour(R) had its humble beginnings on the University of Maryland football field when the company's founder and
president Kevin Plank, at the time the Terps' special teams captain, realized the need for a T-shirt that wouldn't retain moisture. Poised to enter the
team uniform outfitting market, the decision of where Plank's company would
make that debut was simple.
“Under Armour(R) is returning to the field where performance apparel
began, and with Maryland as a powerhouse team that has consistently proven its
dedication to improving performance, we are confident that this is a winning
match,” commented Plank. “Coach Friedgen and Athletics Director Debbie Yow
continue to take this team to new levels, and that commitment combined with
Under Armour's ability to respond to each and every player's needs from here
in Baltimore provides the extra advantage to Maryland players that will help
them continue on this road to glory.”
For the University of Maryland, this agreement is next in a series of
notable achievements and is yet another example of the school's commitment,
under the direction of athletic director Debbie Yow and coach Ralph Friedgen,
to stay ahead of competitors by creating a program supported by the most
innovative technology on the market. Coach Friedgen, a strong proponent of
the new technologies available to football programs, is responsible for the
school's growth from five digital video stations to its current 28 during the
past three years.
“We are pleased to join forces with Under Armour(R) to improve the
performance of our football players,” commented Yow. “We look forward to
seeing firsthand the performance benefits that Under Armour(R) at every layer
will bring to our players next season and are confident that, as our program
continues its ongoing success, this will serve to further propel us to the
next level.”
Composed of a more technical fabric than players have used in the past,
Under Armour's uniform product will be lightweight and include technologically
advanced stretch properties that add flexibility and maneuverability. In
addition, the uniforms will feature Under Armour's signature compression
factor. Terps fans will also be able to enjoy Under Armour(R) on all layers
with a line of fan accessories including player jerseys, hats, team jackets
and more. Fan accessories will be available in a variety of on and off-campus
locations throughout the region.
The deal means more national exposure for Under Armour(R) with the
imminent expansion of the ACC. As one of only five teams nationally, and the
only team in the ACC to have achieved 10-plus wins for each of the past three
years, the outfitting contract comes at a time when the University of Maryland
will enjoy more primetime television exposure against other football
powerhouses now to include Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College. The deal
translates to more visibility for Under Armour(R) at a time when overall
exposure will receive a boost given the conference expansion.
“This partnership gives Under Armour(R) a new arena to showcase the fact
that we have extensive capabilities well beyond the base layer,” commented
Bill Kraus, Under Armour's vice president of sports marketing. “Through the
relationships that we have formed with top NFL and college football players,
and from our own backgrounds as players, we realized a need for uniforms with
improved technological components. We knew that we could meet this challenge
and look forward to utilizing our unique product to deliver a lighter, more
flexible uniform offering exceptional performance benefits.”