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FAU Athletics and Nike Team-Up Three-Year Commitment for All Sports

BOCA RATON – Florida Atlantic University has entered into a three-year contract with Nike as the University’s exclusive shoe and apparel provider for the 17 athletic teams at FAU, announced FAU Director of Athletics Craig Angelos, Wednesday afternoon.

The three-year contract is another example of the significant steps Florida Atlantic’s Athletic Department is making in its fast-pace development. Nike’s three-year commitment is also an endorsement to the quality program’s competing at Florida Atlantic.

“The 2003-2004 athletic season has been a tremendous year when you consider team success and the ground-work laid for Florida Atlantic’s future. In the last year the football team finished the season ranked no. 4, the Sun Belt extended an invitation for membership, three-teams advanced to NCAA post-season play, nine athletes signed professional contracts all factors playing into the mix of the three-year Nike agreement,” said Angelos concerning the significant step in the development of becoming a first class athletic department. “FAU’s athletic programs are definitely on the rise and on the track to becoming a perennial power in the intercollegiate athletics. This all-sports deal is another indication that we are moving quickly towards our goal of competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.”

Florida Atlantic’s agreement with Nike is the third Nike contract that Angelos has been a part of during his career. He first assisted University of Miami Athletic Director Paul Dee in a contract extension of an existing contract. He later was instrumental in negotiating an all-sports agreement with Nike at Indiana University.

“Nike management has been tremendous to work with over the years and is, as we all know, a first class organization. The company believes in the importance of relationships which was a key ingredient in our negotiations,” added Angelos.

Nike’s symbol of quality will extend to all aspects of the Athletic Department and will be visible at all FAU venues.

“We are proud to join the elite ranks of the quality programs that are in the Nike ranks,” said FAU Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger. “We look forward to the new and improved relationship.”

FAU will become the fourth Florida school to have an all-sports agreement with Nike joining Florida, Florida State, and Miami.

“Nike is excited to be working with FAU and proud to be selected as the footwear, apparel and equipment brand of choice for the Owls,” said Kit Morris, Director of College Sport Marketing. “We look forward to working with FAU’s student-athletes, coaches and administration.”