RML Russell CP Delaware

Russell Corporation Signs Agreements with Two College Conferences ATLANTA, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Russell Corporation has announced that it has signed agreements with two Historically Black Conferences that will serve as the basis for a first-of-its kind alliance with the 21 schools represented. The company will supply athletic apparel, team uniforms, balls and sports equipment for the Southwestern Athletic Conference ("SWAC") and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference ("SIAC"). Russell will also have exclusive licenses for the logos of the schools in both conferences. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030630/RMLCORPLOGO ) "These agreements expand our opportunities beyond the team uniform business," said Jon Letzler, president and COO. "By including our Russell Athletic(R), JERZEES(R), Moving Comfort(R), Bike(R) and Spalding(R) brands, we will have increased brand awareness and sales opportunities from the playing fields to the college bookstores. "We are very proud of our new relationship with these institutions and believe this is a true win-win situation," Letzler added. "In addition to the business opportunities for Russell brands, the colleges and universities will have the best apparel and equipment based on our more than 100 years of experience." Athletic programs included in the agreement are men's and women's basketball and soccer, football, baseball, softball and volleyball. Russell's association with the schools will begin in the fall with football season. Kevin Clayton, vice president of diversity for Russell, worked with the two conferences and New Vision Sports Properties to create what is considered an unprecedented agreement between a major athletic company and historically Black schools. "These agreements are also an excellent example of the financial growth that can be generated when management leverages diversity," Letzler said. The following schools are members of the two conferences: Southwestern Athletic Conferences ("SWAC") Alabama A&M University (Normal, AL) Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL) Alcorn State University (Alcorn State, MS) University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, AK) Grambling State University (Grambling, LA) Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, MS) Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, TX) Southern University (Baton Rouge, LA) Texas Southern University (Houston, TX) Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference ("SIAC") Albany State University (Albany, GA) Benedict College (Columbia, SC) Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, GA) Kentucky State University (Frankfort, KY) Lane College (Jackson, TN) LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis, TN) Miles College (Fairfield, AL) Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) Paine College (Augusta, GA) Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, AL) Provisionary Member - Stillman College (Tuscaloosa, AL) About Russell Corporation Russell Corporation is a leading branded athletic, outdoor and activewear company with over a century of success in marketing athletic uniforms, apparel and equipment for a wide variety of sports, outdoor and fitness activities. The company's brands include: Russell Athletic(R), JERZEES(R), Spalding(R), Mossy Oak(R), Bike(R), Moving Comfort(R), Dudley(R), Cross Creek(R), and Discus(R). The company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RML and its website address is http://www.russellcorp.com/ . http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030630/RMLCORPLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Russell Corporation CONTACT: Financial, Martie Edmunds Zakas, +1-678-742-8117, or Media, Nancy Young, +1-678-742-8118, both of Russell Corporation Web site: http://www.russellcorp.com/

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