Howard University reaches sponsorship deal with Under Armour, to supply sports apparel for teams

Howard University has signed a sponsorship deal with apparel brand Under Armour on Monday, starting a multiple-year partnership which would give the Washington university clothing and equipment supplies for its 19 men's and women's varsity teams - collectively called the "Bisons."

Howard has not disclosed the financial value and duration of the deal, according to Sports Pro Media. The partnership will take effect beginning July 1.

Howard University's athletics director Kery Davis has praised the athletics brand for its invaluable contribution to the Baltimore, Maryland-based institution as it would benefit the university's varsity teams, the Baltimore Sun reported.

"Our primary focus at Howard is, of course, our student-athletes, and Under Armour's passion and commitment to high quality and innovation will benefit our student-athletes for years to come," Davis said.

Russell Athletic was the supplier of a majority of the university's sports teams despite not having an official sponsorship deal with the athletics brand.

Howard University is known for producing the most African-American Ph.D. graduates in U.S. history.

On the same day, Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania also announced it also had negotiated a deal with Under Armour. The deal will kick off on September 1. Apart from supplying Robert Morris' student athletes their sports outfits and equipment, Under Armour will also be the sole producer of the university's athletic products, the Biz Journals reported.

Under Armour has been on a signing streak recently, forging partnerships with different universities from coast to coast. Howard and Robert Morris are the 35^th and 36^th American university to strike a deal and become part of the American clothing company's college roster, a list that includes Cincinatti University, Notre Dame University, Ohio State University, Yale University and Auburn University. The 33^rd college insitution, University of California-Berkeley, has signed a lucrative ten-year partnership with the brand.