(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 22)—McKendree University director of athletics Chuck Brueggemann announced on Wednesday that a seven-year contract has been signed for Under Armour to remain as the official uniform and performance apparel provider for the Bearcats' athletic programs.
 
Brueggemann also announced that within that contract extension, Johnny Mac's Sporting Goods will take over as the apparel vendor for the McKendree athletic programs.
 
"We are very pleased that the relationship that McKendree has built with Under Armour over the past seven years will continue for another seven," said Brueggemann. "Our McKendree brand has been enhanced greatly by the ability to display it on the high-quality uniforms, performance gear and many other accessories that carry the Under Armour logo. Their dedication to innovation and technology has kept Under Armour at the top of the sports apparel industry, and we are glad to remain in partnership with them for years to come."
 
McKendree athletic teams have worn Under Armour apparel since the first contact was signed between the two entities back in 2011. The University is currently finishing up a three-year extension that was agreed upon back in 2015.
 
Johnny Mac's has been a leader in the St. Louis sporting goods industry for more than half a century. Since 1967, the company has taken pride in being the "home team" store for countless high school and collegiate programs in the bi-state area. Brueggemann is excited for the new partnership.
 
"Johnny Mac's has long been a leader when it comes to sporting goods sales and service in and around St. Louis," said Brueggemann. "They have built a remarkable reputation and tradition, and McKendree is honored to become the newest "home team" with Johnny Mac's. We have already experienced tremendous support from them throughout this process, and their attention to detail gives me great confidence that we are working with the best in the business."
 
"We are very excited to have this opportunity to work in partnership with McKendree University," said Chuck Rolwes, Missouri/Illinois regional sales manager with Johnny Mac's Sporting Goods." With Johnny Mac's being one of the largest dealers of Under Armour apparel in the Midwest and to have an institution like McKendree join our team, it's a win-win situation for everyone involved. With McKendree basically being in the back yard of our Swansea store, we believe that this will not only help our store grow, but we hope to help the McKendree name grow at the same time. We share the same values as McKendree in that we value relationships and personal interaction with our schools and vendors, and we look forward to working with Chuck (Brueggemann) and (McKendree athletic equipment manager) Brad Oster for years to come."
 
Since joining the Under Armour family, McKendree has completed its full transition to NCAA Division II membership. The Bearcats enjoyed their most successful year to date on the playing fields in 2016-17 with three programs – women's soccer, women's, men's outdoor track and field – capturing conference championships. In addition, the McKendree women's bowling program secured the University's first-ever NCAA national championship by winning the title when the Bearcats swept the University of Nebraska in the championship contest last April in Baton Rouge, La. Already in 2017-18, women's soccer has repeated as Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament champions, and the men's wrestling program claimed its first GLVC regular-season crown.