WSU Athletics and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have announced a five-year, $8.43 million sponsorship agreement, marking the largest annual sponsorship in WSU Athletics history and the first of its kind in the Pac-12.
Under the agreement, all Cougar uniforms will feature a Colville Tribe jersey patch, representing one of the most comprehensive uniform recognitions in college athletics.
The partnership also includes a $250,000 donation to the Cougar Athletic Excellence Fund in year one, youth clinics in tribal communities, regional basketball development opportunities, an AAU tribal tournament, special Nike N7 games for men’s and women’s basketball, and a video series highlighting connections between WSU student-athletes and tribal youth.
The partnership builds on a relationship between WSU and the Colville Tribes, first formalized in 1997. The 12 Tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have lived in the lands of eastern Washington since time immemorial.
The Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Jarred-Michael Erickson, said, “The Colville Tribes have partnered with WSU for decades now on a variety of topics related to education and culture. We are pleased to continue our partnership with this new and historic involvement in WSU’s athletic program. Athletics instill character, and that is an important quality for Colville. There are multiple aspects to this deal, but I am sure our membership will especially enjoy seeing a Colville Tribes patch on WSU jerseys. Go Cougs!”
