NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware Campus Recreation has partnered with Athlete's Thread to provide Delaware Club Sports with a new opportunity to create and sell officially licensed, player-specific merchandise.
For the first time, participating club sport athletes can be featured on customized merchandise featuring their name and official Delaware branding. Fifteen percent of proceeds from each item sold will go directly back to the respective club team, creating a new fundraising opportunity for Delaware's student-led programs.
The expansion builds on Delaware Athletics' successful partnership with Athlete's Thread, which provides officially licensed NIL merchandise for Blue Hen student-athletes. Through year-round promotion and an expanded selection of customized products, Delaware finished among the Top 25 schools in annual merchandise sales across Athlete's Thread's network of more than 400 licensed partners this past year.
"The success we've had with Athlete's Thread and our varsity student-athletes showed us the potential to bring this same opportunity to an even broader group of Blue Hens," said Nick LaMarca, Senior Associate AD, External Relations. "Our Club Sports programs have passionate athletes, families, alumni and supporters, and this partnership gives them a new way to showcase their Delaware pride while directly supporting their respective teams."
"Athletes Thread provides our Club Sports athletes with an incredible opportunity to raise funds for their clubs. This partnership with an innovative online fundraising platform has the potential to be truly game-changing, helping to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with student-led clubs, including travel, uniforms, equipment, and other essential expenses," said Bruce Thompson, Assistant Director of Club Sports.
Athlete's Thread manages the design, production and fulfillment of each collection, allowing participating club teams to focus on promoting their merchandise and growing support for their programs.
Club Sport collections will launch on Athlete's Thread with additional teams and athletes added throughout the year.
