Russell Corporation Signs Agreements with Two College Conferences

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, [phone], or Media,

Nancy Young, [phone], both of Russell Corporation



Web site:  http://www.russellcorp.com/

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