Clyde, I'm really glad you posted this, thanks. After reading it here I did some digging into this yesterday and last night on both sides of the river, and it sounds like this is a really big deal. With Under Armour's face of basketball, Steph Curry, hitting new heights in popularity, they (UA) are looking to select programs around the country to begin to build their basketball brand at the highest levels of high school programs. Not only will you see customized gear for the program, you'll also see special alternate uniforms and special "big game" uniforms. In talking to a dad of a player yesterday, it sounds like the boys are crazy excited about the new stuff and the recognition for the program. I know there are a couple of high profile programs in Ohio that are seething over UA selecting Covington Catholic for this and not one of the traditional powers north of the river.

 

I also heard from several people that while Scott Ruthsatz obviously deserves a ton of the credit for getting this deal to completion, it isn't a coincidence that it also occurs during the tenure of new Athletic Director Tony Bacigalupo, who was instrumental in getting this deal accomplished. A real feather in the cap of the head coach and the new A.D.

 

Several alums of Covington Catholic mentioned that one of the happiest people about this getting done is an assistant coach on staff who had been donating money to the program for years to buy many of the things that UA will now be providing.

 

Thrillville, I didn't hear anything about other sports, but in connecting the dots, it sounds like UA's interest in Covington Catholic is basketball only.

 

Lipton Bash, that would surprise me a great deal.

you'll also see special alternate uniforms and special "big game" uniforms.

 

Very cool, I look forward to seeing those this year. @PurplePride92, another reason for you to come up for the Wilmington game before Christmas and crash at my joint afterwards.

Very cool, I look forward to seeing those this year. @PurplePride92, another reason for you to come up for the Wilmington game before Christmas and crash at my joint afterwards.

 

We are off on the 22nd. I may be able to make that work.

We are off on the 22nd. I may be able to make that work.

 

...and so it shall be done.

Very cool, I look forward to seeing those this year. @PurplePride92, another reason for you to come up for the Wilmington game before Christmas and crash at my joint afterwards.

 

What is this game you speak of where I could meet PP92??? Details please!!!

Very cool, I look forward to seeing those this year. @PurplePride92, another reason for you to come up for the Wilmington game before Christmas and crash at my joint afterwards.

Just don't bring him to where I eat, lol..... j/k

Sweet! Another change in the program that will cause my son to miss his playing days for the Colonels more.

Isn't pretty much every school partnered with a shoe company? What makes this different than another school getting all of their attire from Nike?

Isn't pretty much every school partnered with a shoe company? What makes this different than another school getting all of their attire from Nike?

 

A few have asked this.

 

There are different levels of "partnered with."

 

Let's say Boyle County wears Nike unis and shoes. They are stroking a check for that gear. It's not free. Someone is paying for it.

 

The new UA partnership is different in that UA GIVES the gear (and lots of gear) to the school. As someone posted above they are making special uniforms to go with the regular. You may see "camo" unis for special games, for example. CCH isn't paying for those. They are getting them for free.

Awesome, thanks for clarifying :thumb:

A few have asked this.

 

There are different levels of "partnered with."

 

Let's say Boyle County wears Nike unis and shoes. They are stroking a check for that gear. It's not free. Someone is paying for it.

 

The new UA partnership is different in that UA GIVES the gear (and lots of gear) to the school. As someone posted above they are making special uniforms to go with the regular. You may see "camo" unis for special games, for example. CCH isn't paying for those. They are getting them for free.

 

I think that is huge. When my son played basketball for Cov Cath a few years back, they wore Addidas. I had to pay for two pairs of Addidas shoes, plus a basketball fee of a couple hundred bucks. This fee covered a polo shirt and warm up type jacket they wore to some games, as well as a few other things that I do not remember. They wore uni's and warm ups that had been used for the last several years. The basketball program had purchased them before with money they made from their camps, 3x3 tourney, etc. They did not get team bags, or anything like that. All other equipment such as ankle and knee braces were responsibility of player's family, although I do recall being able to purchase at a discount thru the school. I am not sure if these are provided by UA as part of this, but the expenses for these are minor compared to everything else. Not having to pay for these things is a huge get for the school and the boys, as well as their families.

 

Congrats, and I really look forward to seeing.

Just a guess, but this may even mean additional type of program benefits in the future. I could see UA wanting to put on a holiday tournament bringing all their UA programs together from across the country to participate and likely pay the travel expenses to do so. That is just an example of what they may roll out. Nike by far and away has owned the Elite HS Travel ball scene in Spring and Summer. They set the bar for the others to follow.

 

However, UA may see this HS sponsored program of elite HS teams in season as a way to be the trend setter and out in front of the pack. Just guessing, but it is not the normal average sponsored team package. HS teams will usually deal directly with identified sporting good companies who the Nike, UA, Adidas, and Russell distribute through. The deal varies based on a % discount such as 40%. Then there is a cash back like deal that 15% of everything purchased is accumulated as available credit for merchandise purchase. Many coaches use that amount to get their staff looking good.

Intersting deal here, Cov Cath doesnt have to deal directly with Title IX but how do they get around the redbook rules for this?

Intersting deal here, Cov Cath doesnt have to deal directly with Title IX but how do they get around the redbook rules for this?

 

Would this fall under redbook? My understanding , albeit very limited, is that rule applies to fundraising activities by specific groups in the school.

Would this fall under redbook? My understanding , albeit very limited, is that rule applies to fundraising activities by specific groups in the school.

 

It should, because the school is getting items they will own for one specific team.

 

 

I had a parent, willing to by my teams wrestling singlets this year for the whole team, was told he couldn't because of redbook rules. No Cost to the school at all, not allowed. Not sure how its different here, a specific team is getting something donated to them.

 

Now if all of Cov Cath's sports teams were getting it, not sure what the issue would be.