PETOSKEY—North Central Michigan College announced today that it has established a multiyear athletics partnership with Nike and BSN SPORTS, the first apparel deal in the college’s history.  Through the partnership, BSN SPORTS will serve as the official apparel and equipment provider to the Timberwolf athletic program, outfitting all student-athletes and coaches in premier Nike products.

“Our partnership with Nike and BSN SPORTS is an important step forward in our pursuit of a vibrant athletic program at North Central,” said NCMC Athletic Director Ashley Antonishen.  “There’s a lot of excitement around being a Nike school, from our recruits to our coaches, and I think it will carry into our first varsity games in the fall.”

Antonishen said she is excited to work with North Central’s local BSN rep, Gary Hice.

“Gary is a fixture in Northern Michigan’s athletic community and a lifelong mentor to me,” she said.  “I couldn’t have chosen a better person to help us launch this partnership.”

The partnership offers campus-wide benefits, according to Todd Northrop, vice president of BSN SPORTS’ Collegiate Select Program.

“While our local team will stay connected to the daily needs of coaches and administrators, the NCMC community will benefit from BSN SPORTS’ expansive resources, including program branding products, our team of sport category experts, and leading purchasing support teams to keep Timberwolf athletes at the top of their game,” Northrop said.  “We welcome the opportunity put time back in the days of North Central’s coaches so they can focus on positively impacting the lives of student-athletes.”

After launching its club sports program in 2019, North Central was granted membership in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association in December 2021 and became a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region 12, Division II in October 2021.

Antonishen and her coaching staff are currently recruiting varsity athletes in all six sports to begin competition in Fall 2022. 

Find more information about the North Central’s athletic program on the college's website. For information about collegiate partnership opportunities with BSN SPORTS, email tnorthrop@bsnsports.com.

North Central Michigan College is an open-door community college based in Petoskey with additional locations offering classes and services in Cheboygan and Gaylord.  North Central’s mission is to provide exceptional, accessible, relevant higher education of and for the community.  North Central, an Achieving the Dream Leader College with a designation of Veteran Friendly Bronze by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.  For more information, visit www.ncmich.edu.

About BSN SPORTS:

Dallas-based BSN SPORTS is the leading marketer, manufacturer and distributor of sporting goods apparel and equipment. A division of Varsity Brands, BSN SPORTS markets and distributes its products to over 100,000 institutional and team sports customers in colleges and universities, middle and high schools, and recreational programs throughout the United States via catalog, e-commerce, and direct sales. Focused on providing game changing solutions through local partnerships, multi-brand selection and one-stop shopping for equipment and uniforms, BSN SPORTS’ more than 3,000 employees have been helping elevate participation in team sports since 1972. For more information about BSN SPORTS, visit www.bsnsports.com.

About Nike, Inc.:

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.

For more information:
Megan Van Horn
Content Media Administrator
231-439-6399