Archive for August, 2011
Alicia Sacramone Sporting Her Under Armour Leotard and Sponsorship Deal
Posted by: | CommentsDuring last night’s Visa Championships in St. Paul, 2008 Olympian Alicia Sacramone had something a little different about her. Was it confidence that comes from competing in an Olympic Games or from being a World Champion? Or maybe it was a new suit of “armour” (Under Armour that is)? Yes, Alicia was sporting a new leotard – not the normal GK Adidas or Dreamlight leotard we see so many of the National level gymnasts wearing. This one was different. Why? Because it custom made leotard that she designed along with her new sponsor Under Armour.
Here is the complete press release from Under Armour:
OLYMPIC GYMNAST ALICIA SACRAMONE JOINS UNDER ARMOUR TEAM
World Champion Athlete Becomes the First Gymnast to Sign with the Brand
Baltimore, MD (August 18, 2011) – Under Armour (NYSE:UA), the Baltimore, MD-based leader in sports performance apparel, footwear and accessories, announced today amulti-year partnership with Olympic gymnast Alicia Sacramone, the first gymnast to sign with the company. As a member of the Under Armour team, Sacramone worked with the company on the design of a custom-made Under Armour leotard and will serve as a key Olympic ambassador for the Brand.
In addition to being a member of the silver medal-winning U.S. Olympic team in 2008, Sacramone is currently tied for the highest career tally of World Championship medals for U.S. gymnasts, including three golds, four silvers and two bronzes, making her one of the most successful gymnasts in U.S. history. Sacramone has been named USA Gymnastics’ Sportswoman of the Year four times (’05, ’06, ’07, ’10) and holds five U.S. vault titles as well as two U.S. National floor exercise crowns.
“Alicia’s commitment to training and her determination to perform at the highest level makes her an inspiration to young athletes across the world and an ideal fit for the Under Armour Brand,” said Tori Hanna, Director, Women’s Sports Marketing, Under Armour. “While her numerous medals and accolades are a clear reflection of her talent, it is her indomitable spirit that sets her apart as a natural choice to become the first Under Armour athlete on the gymnastics floor.”
Sacramone joins an elite roster of athletes who have signed with Under Armour, including 16-time Olympic swimming medalist Michael Phelps, Olympic gold medalist skier Lindsey Vonn, U.S. Women’s Team World Cup soccer star Lauren Cheney and three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, among others.
“I’m honored to join the Under Armour family, as Under Armour’s emphasis on training and its dedication to the next generation of athletes aligns perfectly with my core values,” said Sacramone. “I’ve always admired Under Armour apparel for its performance and style and now, to get the chance to work alongside such a high caliber of world champion athletes, it’s just an unbelievable opportunity.”
When Sacramone is not competing or training, she coaches youth gymnastics at Brestyan’s Gym in Burlington, MA and focuses much of her time giving back to the Children’s Hospital of Boston.
About Under Armour, Inc.
Under Armour® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.underarmour.com.
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Be sure to watch Alicia and the rest of the US Team hopefuls as they compete in Day 2 of the Visa Championships on Saturday, August 20. Check UniversalSports.com and USA Gymnastics for times, results and more photos from the event.
Sports Girls Play Recommended Reading for August 12
Posted by: | CommentsAs summer starts to wind down, there is a lot going on in the sports world – especially in this pre-Olympic year! Here are some of this week’s top girls sports news articles and resources.
Looking Ahead to London
- Missy Franklin is definitely cementing her spot as one to watch in London on the swimming front. After a successful FINA World Championships meet, Missy claimed two more US titles this week at Nationals!
- Natalie Coughlin talks about her FINA Worlds performance leading up to next year’s Olympics and how at this point every little bit counts
- The 2011 Visa National Championships kick off August 17 and USA Gymnastics has released the event program online. Check it out and get the competitor information and meet details before you go. Will Jordyn Wieber be the next US Champion? Who knows, but the mix of experience from Shawn Johnson and Alicia Sacramone combined with the energy of up and comers make this meet one to watch!
Youth Sports
- Do you have an athlete who is starting to think college sports? Check out this list of the Top 10 College Sports Programs – from the female athlete perspective at Pretty Tough
- For girls in Saudi Arabia, the tides are slowly beginning to change and advances are being made in the acceptance of girls participating in sports. Case in point – Women’s Football (aka Soccer) Making Headway in Saudi Arabia
- Teach Winning Through Losing – every game offers up opportunities to learn, and you learn more when you lose – if you approach it the right way
- Did your child’s team make the play-offs? Then you must read this – A Parent’s Code of Conduct for Post-Season Play. Go. Now. Read.
Have a great weekend!
SIGN UP – Dick’s Sporting Goods is Giving FREE Concussion Software To Schools
Posted by: | CommentsAli Krieger from the US women's soccer team in a Gaithersburg, MD Dick’s Sporting Goods store, helping spread the word about the new PACE program (Protecting Athletes through Concussion Education).
Are you a parent of an athlete, coach, teacher or school administrator at a middle school or high school? If so, this is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to apply for some state-of-the-art concussion software which can help combat concussions in youth sports keeping your athletes playing safer and longer.
According to the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, up to 3.8 million recreation- and sports-related concussions occur in the United States every year – with concussions in adolescent age groups accounting for the majority.1 This is a serious issue.
That’s why Dick’s Sporting Goods created PACE, which stands for Protecting Athletes through Concussion Education. Through PACE, Dick’s Sporting Goods will supply up to one million young athletes across more than 3,300 middle and high schools nationwide with ImPACT software, the first, most-widely used, and scientifically-validated computerized concussion evaluation system. It is a computerized, neurocognitive assessment tool and service that is used by medical doctors, psychologists, athletic trainers, and other licensed healthcare professionals to assist them in determining an athlete’s ability to return to play after suffering a concussion.
But, schools NEED TO APPLY in order to get the software! Here’s how you do it: visit http://www.mydickssportinggoods.com/pace/ and click “Submit Your School” on the left-hand side.
It’s on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if your school qualifies and the application is approved, it could become one of the 3,300 middle and high schools getting FREE software in the largest concussion baseline testing initiative ever created.
Good luck, and stay safe this season!
