PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State University Athletics announced today a landmark 10-year partnership with Nike, returning Gorilla Athletics to the world's leading athletic brand and setting a new standard for the future of the department.

The agreement allows Pittsburg State to make sustained investments in its student-athletes while strengthening its recruiting position and long-term competitive outlook across all sports.

"This is about the future of Pitt State Athletics—what it takes to compete at the highest level of Division II," said Tom Dunn, PSU's Associate AD for Branding.

Nike's leadership in innovation, performance, and athlete-driven design provides Pittsburg State with a clear recruiting advantage while elevating the daily experience of Gorilla student-athletes.

"This new opportunity allows us to invest more into our student-athletes," PSU Vice President of Athletics Anthony Crespino said. "It also aligns with how we want to continue building Pitt State Athletics — focused on our student-athletes, grounded in our tradition, and committed to long-term success."

As part of the agreement, Pittsburg State Athletics will utilize BSN Sports for equipment and team ordering, creating a standardized and efficient ordering process across all sports.

"This structure ensures consistency and operational efficiency while Nike sets the performance and brand standard," Crespino said.

The partnership also marks a meaningful return to Nike for Pittsburg State, honoring the legacy of the late Terry Swartz, a Pittsburg native and proud Gorilla supporter whose relationship with the university helped support Pitt State Athletics in its early years.

The partnership will launch June 1, 2026, with Pitt State teams debuting new Nike apparel and uniforms across multiple sports.