University of Regina Athletics and Nike Team announced Monday an agreement to sign a five-year contract, with Nike to become the exclusive provider of athletic apparel and uniforms for the 16 varsity teams on campus beginning 2015-16.
 
Nike Team and exclusive Canadian distributor T. Litzen Sports were selected by way of a competitive bid process engineered by the University.
 
"We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with Nike Team," said Curtis Atkinson, acting director of athletics. "To have all of our Cougars and Rams unified under one of the most recognized brands in the world is an exciting time for our University and our student-athletes. This is a brand that represents what we want to be known for – quality and excellence. I look forward to seeing our teams competing and training in the Nike swoosh."
 
The University will contract with T. Litzen Sports to outfit student-athletes in the Nike swoosh as well as provide Cougars and Rams team gear to be sold by the U of R Bookstore.  The new partnership will be facilitated locally by Saskatchewan territory manager Barry Hunter.
 
"Nike Team and T. Litzen Sports are ecstatic to add University of Regina Athletics to our exclusive family of partners," said Ryan Denholm, national sales manager. "To have the combined history and success of the Cougars and Rams programs, competing and training in our products, is an honour. We look forward to great success with the merger of our distinguished brands."
 
Nike is the world's largest designer and distributor of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. T. Litzen Sports operates out of Dundas, Ont. and has international access to the Nike Team line of products.