EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville Athletics Director Mark Spencer has announced that the department has entered into a new five year agreement with NIKE to become the exclusive apparel provider for the entire Purple Aces athletic program.
 
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Purple Aces Athletics," Spencer said.  "This is an important step for us to strengthen and solidify the Purple Aces brand and raise the profile of the University of Evansville Athletics on a national level.  To pair our brand with the top sports apparel company in the world is a positive for all parties involved."
 
The partnership makes NIKE the exclusive footwear and apparel provider for the University of Evansville's 14 NCAA Division I sports. NIKE has had a standing relationship with several UE sports including the recent College Insider Tournament Champion Men's Basketball team, while the rest of the programs will make the transition to NIKE beginning in the summer of 2015. 
 
Sixteen of the last nineteen national champions in men's basketball have been partnered with NIKE.  On the football side, all four teams selected to the inaugural College Football Playoff were NIKE Programs.
 
Outside of collegiate athletics, NIKE has several impressive affiliations.  They are the official partner of the National Football League and are used by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in professional golf.  On an international level, 18 different countries use NIKE for their men's basketball teams (including the United States) and 30 use the company for men's soccer.