After listening to the retail presentations at Financial Day — and Finish Line’s Q3 report — it is clear that Under Armour is more than just the current apparel darling of the sporting goods industry.

Each retailer cited the brand as the key driver for apparel sales — along with licensed apparel.

Retailers will soon be able to look to the upstart company for both soon after Under Armour announced on Saturday the signing of their first licensed apparel deal with an NCAA school.

It was no wonder that Under Armour co-founder, president & CEO Kevin Plank shared with the luncheon crowd at Financial Day the plan for his company to exceed $200 million in sales in 2004, after posting sales in the $110 million in 2003. Plank told Sports Executive Weekly that they shipped $19 million in October alone, there largest month ever recorded.

One cannot be too surprised at the school chosen for the first deal, as UA inked a five-year deal with the University of Maryland.

Plank said the deal will include baselayer, uniforms, headgear, outerwear and sideline apparel.
In an exclusive interview with SEW on Sunday, Plank said the company is “just planning on learning the business”, much like the guys did when they first went out with their first product.

Plank said they haven’t set the number of schools they expect to pursue, but he did make reference to the close proximity of a number of ACC schools that would be perfect laboratories for the fledgling category.

The CEO said they will build a successful program (with Maryland) and then grow it from there.

Bill Kraus, VP for Sports Marketing for UA, will head up the program. “The Maryland deal is Bill’s baby,” said Plank.

Plank also announced that the company has hired a new CFO. Wayne Marino comes over from Nautica and will bring some good “big company” experience to the management team.
Mr. Plank made an impassioned speech during the lunch, prodding those in attendance to support the Super Show.

The show has been very good to Under Armour and they are the clear draw now that Nike, Reebok and most of the other footwear companies have made their exit. the company has taken up the torch for support for the industry’ s one event that should bring all aspects of the industry together.

Their party on Monday night of the show is now the “must attend” event, a label once worn in the good ‘ol days by Reebok and more recently, Skechers.