2010-04-29

April 29, 2010

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRSTAR Sports Inks Deal with UBC Athletics and Recreation
Thunderbirds Hockey & Football Newest Additons to FIRSTAR Roster

FIRSTAR Sports is pleased to announce the signing of a 2-year agreement with the University of British Columbia’s Department of Athletics and Recreation. Initially, FIRSTAR will provide advanced team performance apparel for UBC Thunderbirds Ice Hockey, UBC Thunderbirds Football, and UBC REC instructional programs. Plans are in place to include other varsity and club teams to the roster over the term of the agreement.
FIRSTAR will develop custom apparel featuring the UBC Thunderbirds colours and logos, ultimately providing the university with an opportunity to engage in consistent brand management.
 
“UBC will have access to FIRSTAR’s current inventory,” says Michael Topliss, FIRSTAR’s Vice-President, Sales. “This allows us to offer them a robust cost containment opportunity, resulting in considerable savings in their athletic apparel purchases.”

In over 80 years, UBC Athletics has served as the launching pad for many luminaries in international sports. Alumnae in the UBC Sports Hall of Fame include world renowned wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen, hockey program developer Father David Bauer, and NAIA All-American and Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis.

“It’s an honour to have this opportunity to partner with a university that has launched the careers of such an incredible number of successful athletes,” says Doug Thom, Founder and VP Product Development at FIRSTAR. “I’m looking forward to the feedback we’ll be getting from these young athletes as we move forward”.

“We’re certainly excited about partnering with FIRSTAR,” says Matthew Tan, UBC Athletics and Recreation’s Business Development Officer. “FIRSTAR’s dedication to developing athletes is well-known, as is their reputation for excellence. Also, we appreciate the opportunity to do business with a wholly owned and operated Canadian company.”

This new agreement follows an already well-established partnership between the two organizations – FIRSTAR provided the jackets worn by the facilities operation team in the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

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