Partnership to Include Agreement Benefits Through Under Amour and BSN SPORTS’ Women of Will Athletic Sponsorship Program
July 15, 2021 – Shady Side Academy, a nationally respected PK-12 private school in Pittsburgh, PA, today announced that it has entered into a partnership agreement with 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. The uniform and apparel agreement outfitting SSA athletes and coaches in Under Armour gear will debut in the 2021-2022 school year, unlocking partnership benefits and rebates for the Shady Side Bulldogs athletic program across boys’ and girls’ teams. Through the partnership, the girls’ athletic program joins the over 275 Women of Will Programs nationwide, gaining exclusive access to Women of Will branding and apparel packages, custom fanwear and branding designs over the multiyear agreement.
“This partnership will provide Shady Side Academy with unparalleled resources and support from two of the top partners in sports, BSN SPORTS and Under Armour. It will strengthen our commitment to excellence by providing our athletic teams with the highest quality uniforms, apparel and equipment. The timing of the partnership also coincides perfectly with the launch of our new Bulldogs branding. I am excited for the Shady Side Academy community and look forward to working with BSN SPORTS and Under Armour in the future,” said Shady Side Academy Athletic Director Sean Simmons.
Through the partnership agreement, Shady Side Academy Athletics will also benefit from access to BSN SPORTS’ line of custom and Under Armour campus branding products as well as customizable fanwear shops for Bulldogs supporters and alumni. As the most recent addition to the Women of Will Program, the first dedicated high school female athletic sponsorship program of its kind, Shady Side’s female athletes and coaches unlock a new caliber of program support, including exclusive apparel, professional branding options, UA retail allotment, national recognition, WoW awards and a dedicated service team driven by Under Armour and BSN SPORTS.
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Shady Side Academy to provide all staff, coaches, and athletes with industry-leading access to the finest Under Armour apparel and athletic gear. With this partnership, we are able to elevate the performance and impact of the freshly rebranded Bulldogs program, as well as the student-athlete experience on and off the field or court by leveraging our simple team ordering platforms, branding tools to drive community engagement, and support resources to allow coaches to spend more time with their athletes. Additionally, through the Women of Will program which was created in partnership with Under Armour to recognize the determination and ambition that female athletes bring to the playing field every day, we are proud to welcome Shady Side Academy to our Women of Will family as champions of uplifting and inspiring the next generation of female athletes,” said BSN SPORTS/Under Armour National Account Manager Emmy Walton.
SSA Athletic Director Simmons added, “Shady Side Academy is thrilled to join the BSN SPORTS and Under Armour Women of Will family, which will enhance our commitment to supporting our female student-athletes, coaches and teams. We are proud to be part of a program that empowers and inspires young women to strive for greatness – not only in athletics, but also in life.”
If you would like more information regarding partnership opportunities with BSN SPORTS and Under Armour Women of Will program, please contact BSN SPORTS/Under Armour National Account Manager Emmy Walton at ewalton@bsnsports.com or BSN SPORTS Director of Women’s Sport Maria Carlini at mcarlini@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 Under Armour, Inc.
Under Armour, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is a leading inventor, marketer and distributor of branded athletic performance apparel, footwear and accessories. Powered by one of the world’s largest digitally connected fitness and wellness communities, Under Armour’s innovative products and experiences are designed to help advance human performance, making all athletes better. For further information, please visit https://about.underarmour.com.
About Shady Side Academy
Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades PK-12, with an optional boarding experience in high school. Four age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life. Learn more at www.shadysideacademy.org.
Media Contacts
Lisa Bartek
BSN SPORTS Director of Communications
lbartek@varsitybrands.com
817-480-3100
Jen Roupe
Director of Communications, Shady Side Academy
jroupe@shadysideacademy.org
412-968-3236