Nike is new sponsor for Wesley’s sports teams

By: Warren Gross and Marissa Hayes (Whetstone staff)

Next year, all of Wesley’s sports teams will be wearing uniforms and equipment gotten from a new sponsor. The teams will be switching from Adidas to Nike.

“The coaches came to an agreement and felt it was time for a new sponsor,” said Mike Drass, athletic director. “Everyone felt as if Nike was the best choice.”

The jerseys, shoes, and equipment will now have the Nike logo on it.

Some of the teams don’t wear the same sponsored gear during games. According to Nike’s website, college teams must complete an online grant application that is sent to the Nike’s corporate office.

Drass refused to comment about how much or how little the sponsorship cost the college.

However, he said that once the contract is finalized, he will reveal the money details.

He did explain the new anticipation of the new uniforms and equipment from the new sponsor.

Assistant football coach Steve Azzanesi said the new sponsorship will help coaches recruit new players.

“When we’re recruiting athletes from different schools, they tend to like Nike more than Adidas,” he said.

Girls Lacrosse Coach Debbie Windett said her team will enjoy the new changes because of Nike’s reputation.

“The switch hasn’t affected our team too much yet because we had just received new Adidas jerseys which they have been wearing,” she said. “I anticipate the players liking Nike more because they are highly known for authentic lacrosse gear, whereas Adidas is known for soccer equipment.”

Track and Field player Derek Mulholland said he was excited about the switch.

“When I found out about the switch I was hyped because Nike has a much better logo than Adidas,” he said. “When opponents see our logos, they will automatically know that we mean business.  It’ll give the team motivation to want to perform better and represent our school in a fresh look.”

Some players said the switch is not a big deal.  Girls Lacrosse player Linnea Cavallo confirms that she has worn Nike during her games.

“The changing of sponsors doesn’t really affect me at all,” she said. “We still have Adidas uniforms and I have personally worn Nike equipment even though we were still sponsored by Adidas.”

Cavallo is pleased to switch from having equipment and clothing from three different brands to just wearing one.

“I am excited for us to all wear the same sponsor on the field rather than having Adidas uniforms, Under Armour jackets, and Nike sneakers,” she said. “Now, everything will have the same brand.”

Girls Lacrosse player Tristin Burris said that when the team wears the same gear and equipment it can become a pregame tactic.

“The logos should be consistent throughout the uniform and equipment,” she said.  “If the whole team looks the same, your opponents will take you serious and can be more intimidated.”

Some teams have already gotten new attire from Nike.

Golf player Bobby Ehrhardt said the golf team has provided new shirts to wear on the course.

“So far, the only change for the golf team is the shirts and I personally like the switch,” he said.  “I like the Nike shirts better because there’s a better color selection and they’re more comfortable. Over time, I hope the sponsorship could get us new golf clubs, golf bags, and golf shoes.”

Student fans said they recognized the lack of consistency of logos in the player’s uniforms.

Senior Erica Bryson believes wearing all the same logos is highly important.

“When I go to the sports games, specifically basketball, I get upset because, compared to our rivals, our teams are never in the same uniform,” she said. “The new sponsorship will allow us to look more like a threat.”

Senior Lindsey Martin believes the change is necessary because Nike is more popular.

“If you ask most athletes which is the better brand, they will more likely say Nike is a more respected brand than Adidas,” she said. “If you look at college or professional teams, Nike is more seen and worn throughout the leagues than Adidas.”

Shane Jacobs believes this switch was long overdue.

“I noticed that some of our teams didn’t have the same uniforms and gear like our opponents do,” he said. “It’s about time they got a new sponsorship because our athletes work too hard not to be respected.”

By next year our Wesley teams will be under the sponsorship of Nike. Players, coaches, and fans are supporters of Nike, and approve the change of sponsorships.