As part of Adidas’ High School Partner Program, Choate has become an Adidas School after — relying on the brand for a wide variety of athletic gear. The athletics department has unofficially used Adidas for the last two years but signed an official all-athletics agreement this past summer. Mr. Roney Eford, Director of the Athletics Department, said, “Our main goal to partner with a team dealer was to brand the Choate Athletics department and make sure our teams are aligned while representing the School on the courts, fields, or in indoor spaces.”
The athletics department and the equipment room have multiple interactions with Adidas representatives each week, whether that be ordering items, checking inventory, getting recommendations for specific styles, or following up on previous orders. Daily interaction with Adidas’s representatives have enhanced the overall operation of our department, according to Mr. Eford.
Most teams have made the shift in uniforms and team items to Adidas. “The Equipment Room works with coaches and athletics office to review all styles, colors, and branding so that it is compliant with the Choate Athletic and school branding guidelines, said Mr. Justin Whittaker, the Head Equipment Manager and WJAC Supervisor. Although not all team uniforms have transitioned to Adidas yet, Mr. Whittaker said, “We have taken a look at the uniform order history over the last few years, and are developing a process to convert all uniforms to Adidas when the team is up for new uniforms.”
According to the athletics department, the shift to Adidas has opened the School to a variety of Adidas-exclusive items. The cage, moreover, has access to all of Adidas’s inventory and shipment information.
Girls’ Varsity Soccer captain Cici Curran ’20, who often works with the equipment room and Mr. Whittaker, described the process of using team stores and how they interact with Adidas. She said she reached out to Mr. Whittaker, who directed her to an independent vendor, but Curran said of the team stores and their connection with Adidas, “they’re easier, more convenient, and fast.” She mentioned that she was definitely satisfied, but also that, “It’s a big organizational thing but it’s hard for a single captain.”
Other students had differing views on the Adidas uniforms. Samuel Maldonado ’20, who plays on Boys’ Varsity Soccer, said, “Boys’ Varsity Soccer has used Nike all four years, but I think a move to Adidas will be great.” He also mentioned that he believes all teams should have a team store with Adidas merchandise, so people have many options when it comes to gear.
Lillie Lanphier ’20, a player on Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey, disagreed. Of her team’s current uniforms, sponsored by Nova Brand, she said, “We like our uniforms because they fit really well.” According to Lanphier, Adidas carries much more men’s clothing than women’s, and that the brand’s clothing doesn’t fit as well. “We chose to get the men’s pullover for our team item because none of the women’s [pullovers] were good,” Lanphier said. “They rarely have any new options for women’s sweatshirts.”
Not only does Nike look better, Lanphier thinks, but it also uses better material.
Regardless, the athletic department hopes that Adidas can fulfill the uniform and equipment needs of all Choate teams and will make sure that Choate teams are comfortable with the brand’s items.
