July 7, 2009

OXFORD, Ohio--Miami University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and adidas have entered into a five-year agreement in which adidas will supply footwear and apparel for RedHawk athletic teams, Director of Athletics Brad Bates announced today.

The new agreement begins with the 2009-10 academic year and extends through the 2013-14 season.

"We are honored to be partnering with one of the major international entities in athletics," said Bates. "The professionalism, creativity and class of the adidas staff has been extraordinary and the quality of their products are validated daily by professional, Olympic and intercollegiate athletes around the world. We look forward to a very successful and productive relationship with this extraordinary organization to the benefit of our students."

Miami University's intercollegiate teams and coaches will be outfitted in adidas footwear, uniforms, training apparel, sideline gear and accessories. The RedHawks join the adidas family which includes over 100 relationships within collegiate athletics. In addition, adidas has marketing agreements with the NFL, NBA and MLS.

"The RedHawks and their student athletes exemplify what intercollegiate athletics are all about," said Chris McGuire, Director of Sports Marketing for adidas America. "We look forward to many successful years with Miami University."

Football Uniforms Will Make Debut on September 5th

Not only will September 5th be the debut of Head Coach Michael Haywood's Miami University football team, the RedHawks also will be wearing new adidas football uniforms that will combine an old school look with 21st century technology.

The school's distinctive beveled "M" will be prominently centered on the front of the jersey, above the number, and also on the left pant leg. The adidas logo will be displayed on the right shoulder of the jersey and on the right pant leg. Miami's home jerseys will be red with white numerals and white adidas three stripes, while the road jerseys will be white with red numerals and red adidas three stripes. The players' names will not be included on either jersey.

Darrell Hallberg, Miami's Director of Equipment Services, said that Haywood wanted to bring back the history and tradition of Miami football to the team's uniforms while also taking advantage of implementing adidas technological improvements, including clima cool.

"Our uniforms will have a stretch performance fabric, moisture wicking, a tackle twill and a very clean and simple look," said Hallberg. "The shoes that the football team will be wearing are ultra-light. Our players who have worn the new uniforms absolutely love them."

The new adidas apparel will be available to the general public at the Miami University Bookstore (Shriver Center), DuBois Bookstore (118 E. High St., Oxford) and Follett's Miami Co-op Bookstore (110 E. High St., Oxford). . Fans will be able to purchase a wide range of products, including sideline gear, coaches' polo shirts, hats, jerseys, performance apparel, and outerwear.

About adidas: adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the leading sports brand in the world. Brand adidas is part of the adidas Group, a corporation that includes brands such as Reebok, TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Rockport. For further information please visit www.press.adidas.com.

 --www.MURedHawks.com--