Under Armour outfitting thousands of Baltimore City student athletes and coaches
Under Armour says it is outfitting more than 5,300 student-athletes and coaches in the Baltimore City Public Schools with new uniforms or apparel.
The sports brand also said it will provide additional funding to upgrade the school system’s athletic and activity facilities.
Under Armour, which did not specify how much its commitment will cost, said it was part of a multimillion-dollar collaboration with the Ravens, the Fund for Educational Excellence and the InSideOut Initiative “to enrich Baltimore City school’s athletic programs.”
The InSideOut Initiative — a non-profit organization co-founded by former Baltimore Colts player Joe Ehrmann — will offer professional development for athletic directors and coaches. The Ravens are funding the initiative.
The Fund for Educational Excellence — a nonprofit working to boost student achievement — has been designated as project manager, providing technical assistance and ensuring all schools can access the new resources.
“We are so thankful to these partners for stepping up in this major way,” said Sonja Brookins Santelises, chief executive officer of Baltimore City Public Schools, in a news release.
Under Armour already has provided many uniforms for Baltimore City public school athletes. A spokesperson said the brand “will roll out the final two, basketball and football, in the fall of 2018.” In all, more than 15 sports are included.
While the company’s effort has focused primarily on uniforms, the spokesperson said the company has “worked with individual schools to fill requests related to footwear and accessories.”
Last fall, Under Armour began manufacturing T-shirts specifically designed for athletes on city public school teams. The next generation of the shirts will be manufactured in time for the 2018-19 school year, Under Armour said. It said it will invite athletes to participate in the design of the shirts at the UA Lighthouse, its manufacturing and design center in Baltimore.