Under Armour and the University of Hawaii announced an eight-year partnership that designates Under Armour as the performance apparel and footwear outfitter for the University of Hawaii Warrior football team. The partnership also includes marketing rights.
The partnership, slated to begin in July 2008, deepens Under Armour's on- field presence in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). In addition to the Warriors, the brand has official outfitter relationships in The Atlantic Coast Conference, The Big 12, and The Southeastern Conference, including agreements with The University of South Carolina and Auburn University.
“We're thrilled to add Hawaii to the very select list of football programs we're outfitting,” said Kevin Plank, Under Armour Chairman and CEO. “We identified UH as a team we wanted to outfit with our state-of-the-art performance apparel, uniforms and footwear, and we look forward to giving their student-athletes an advantage on field while also using the relationship to showcase our latest innovations in footwear, uniform designs, fabrics and textiles.”
The Warriors will debut their new uniforms when they take on the University of Florida in their season opener on August 30, 2008.
“Under Armour offers a quality line of football products and our players will be thrilled to wear its apparel,” Greg McMackin, head coach, said. “Additionally, they have successfully positioned themselves as the aggressive new brand in this field, so we will benefit from having them as an apparel and footwear supplier as well as a marketing partner.”
Under Armour has incorporated coaches, facilities and former players from some of its other partnerships in its previous marketing and advertising campaigns, including “Protect This House(TM)” and “Click-Clack(TM).” Past commercials have featured coaches Steve Spurrier (University of South Carolina), Ralph Friedgen (University of Maryland) and Tommy Tuberville (Auburn University).
“This is certainly a landmark deal for UH Athletics,” said Carl Clapp, interim athletic director. “It will provide our football student-athletes with quality game and practice products, while also providing UH with an outstanding marketing partner. The revenue that Under Armour has committed will enhance our financial situation and we are thrilled to be aligned with such an exciting and progressive company.”
