Keeping the Tigers striped

Princeton students have come to expect the best in all aspects of their college experience, and the University does everything in its power to make these expectations a reality — down to the uniforms that students-athletes wear on the field.

Since the University and Nike agreed to a comprehensive apparel and equipment partnership two years ago, student-athletes across Princeton's 38 varsity programs have seen improvements in their equipment and outfitting. The partnership with Nike has also given rise to a new process for designing Tiger jerseys, through which the uniforms remain faithful to Princeton aesthetic traditions while staying fresh for each new generation of Tigers.

The design process entails back-and-forth discussion between Princeton coaches, the Department of Athletics design team and Nike. Tiger equipment manager Cliff Perry runs things on the department's end, and Nike presents him with new designs and lines that it believes Princeton might like.

Alternatively, Nike might ask the Department of Athletics to create a uniform using the apparel giant's online system and submit the design to the company for feedback and suggestions.

Princeton coaches are integral partners in the uniform design and selection process, representing the interests of their players to the best of their abilities.

First and foremost, however, Nike must ensure that its design process respects Princeton's trademarks and official logos.

"We always have the stripes on the sleeves of the football uniforms," Senior Associate Director of Athletics Jamie Zaninovich said. "We always make sure that we keep with those traditions."

Though Nike significantly reduces the price of equipment and apparel for Princeton, the company spares no expense in offering the Tigers the choice of its finest and most cutting-edge merchandise.

"Our field hockey team just got outfitted with a brand new shoe ... that only we and the U.S. women's field hockey team are wearing," Zaninovich said. "We're getting sort of the best-of-breed technology from them as a preferred school."

The partnership is the first of its kind in the Ivy League and allows the Tigers to receive the highest quality apparel and equipment at either complimentary or largely reduced costs. While Nike's ability to equip all of the University's diverse athletic programs was an important selling point, Nike's respected way of doing business also attracted the University toward building a longterm relationship.

Recognized as a leader in fair labor practices, Nike's integrity made the company an extremely desirable candidate.

"[Nike] approached us," Zaninovich said. "They said, 'We're really interested in best-of-breed in the Ivy League, and we think that Princeton is best-of-breed in the Ivy League, and we want to be partners with you.' "

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Beyond its benefits to the University, the partnership's most important effects have been those passed on to the student-athletes themselves.

"The bottom line — and the most important message here really — is this deal allows us to outfit [our student-athletes] more and better than they were doing before," Zaninovich said. "We're Princeton; we want to be the best at everything we do. So why not try to give our student-athletes the best tools possible to compete?"

Prior to the partnership with Nike, many student-athletes had to pay or partially pay for their own equipment. By securing equipment at a lower cost, the University has largely eliminated this need.

Previously, individual teams and programs acquired goods through a variety of means. Certain "high profile" programs had established partnerships with Nike, Zaninovich said, while others had relied on local merchants or other sporting goods companies.

Over the last two years, teams which formerly held contracts with other companies have transitioned out of those contracts into the Nike-brand equipment.

Under its current purchasing scheme, the University replenishes its teams' uniform and equipment stock about once every three years and then as needed on an annual basis in the intermediary years.

The development of the partnership brings benefits to both parties at little to no expense. Nike enjoys the visibility from a select partnership with the top-ranked school in the country while Princeton athletes enjoy the opportunity to play in outstanding equipment at a reduced cost.

Overall, Nike has provided Princeton with top-quality goods quickly and efficiently, and the University will look to expand the partnership in the future.