Nov. 17, 2005
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -
The Ohio Valley Conference has entered into a multi-year corporate sponsorship agreement with sporting equipment manufacturer Schutt Sports. A highlight to the partnership will be Schutt Sports serving as the presenting sponsor of the league's annual Roy Kidd OVC Football Coach of the Year award.
As part of the agreement, Schutt will provide a traveling trophy that will be engraved with the name of each year's honoree.
"We are thrilled that the leading manufacturer of athletic equipment has become a corporate partner of the Ohio Valley Conference," said OVC Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher. "Schutt Sports has a long history of being on the forefront of its industry and this partnership will enable us to further strengthen our commitment to providing quality experiences for our student-athletes."
Schutt Sports is synonymous with innovation in sports equipment, from the pros to youth leagues. Schutt Sports is the largest provider of football helmets and faceguards in the world, and also markets innovative, quality, protective field/court equipment for baseball, basketball, and softball, and is the Official Base Supplier of Major League Baseball®.
The Litchfield, Ill.-based company also markets collectible football helmets and bases to promote fan enjoyment.
"Schutt Sports is very pleased to have the Ohio Valley Conference as a significant supporter of Schutt products," said Schutt Sports President Julie Nimmons. "The schools which make up the Ohio Valley Conference place a great deal of value on the athletic and educational experience of their student-athletes, and we at Schutt believe our products and services will contribute to those programs."
The league's annual coaching honor is named for Eastern Kentucky University legend and OVC Hall of Fame member Roy Kidd, who directed the Colonels' program for 39 years, compiling an overall record of 315-123-8.
The Ohio Valley Conference is the nation's eighth-oldest NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics conference, comprised of 11 member institutions from the states of Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee.
The member institutions are: Austin Peay State University, Eastern Illinois University, Eastern Kentucky University, Jacksonville State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Samford University, Southeast Missouri State University, University of Tennessee at Martin, Tennessee State University and Tennessee Technological University.
