Stillman College is making history by landing an athletics deal with New Balance, as the Tuscaloosa-based institution the first HBCU to acquire such a partnership with the company.

New Balance specifically inked a five-year exclusive apparel and equipment agreement with the university. Representatives from the company and its supplier—BSN SPORTS—met with the Stillman College administration, coaches, and athletes earlier today to announce the news.

Through this contract, New Balance and BSN SPORTS will begin outfitting Stillman College's basketball, softball, baseball, track, cross-country, volleyball, and bowling teams. The agreement includes free promotional products, performance incentives, and rebates.

Terrance Whittle, Stillman's director of athletics, said this "refreshing" partnership is an excellent opportunity to help boost the university's prominence and recognition.

"To have a major brand like New Balance gives us a pedigree in the market among other schools, especially others who are already solidified in their branding," he stated. "Recruits will know what we're wearing, what we promote and what we're associated with. It will help keep our student-athletes and coaches excited."

New Balance and Stillman College began discussing a possible partnership back at the start of the 2021-2022 academic year, and these talks progressed throughout the remainder of the fall semester.

"We are thrilled to partner with Stillman College and their storied athletics programs," Quinton Cole, New Balance's national team sales rep said. "Stillman's DNA fits perfectly with the New Balance mission of not trying to be the biggest but being the best."

"We look forward to many years of thinking different and changing the game. We are very excited to take this next step alongside BSN SPORTS to outfit all the school's teams and the surrounding community," he continued.

"It's our goal to support our Collegiate Select Partners with tailored resources and tools that save coaches and staff time, so they can focus their attention on what they care about most—their student-athletes," Todd Northrop, VP of BSN SPORTS's Collegiate Selection Division added.

Blavity-UBlavity-U-NewsCollege Sports