WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., October 20, 2020 (Newswire.com) – U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), will once again outfit competitive collegiate polo players through its nationwide Collegiate Partnership Program (CPP). This season, the sport-inspired global brand welcomes its first HBCU to the program, Morehouse College, as well as the University of Kentucky. Over forty teams annually participate from schools that span from east to west coast, small and large enrollments, and state schools to the Ivy League.

The Partnership involves U.S. Polo Assn. providing collegiate polo teams with branded face covers, performance jerseys, game whites, gear bags, along with a financial donation. In turn, the players wear official U.S. Polo Assn. gear while practicing on the polo fields as well as during campus life whether that be virtual or in-person. U.S. Polo Assn. has continued to support these amazing college polo teams and student athletes even as activities have been limited due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“As the official brand of the United States Polo Association, it’s an honor to partner with these amazing student athletes, particularly during these difficult times for sports and colleges. They not only represent the future of the sport of polo but are the future leaders and visionaries of America,” explains USPAGL President and CEO, J. Michael Prince. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to add Morehouse College and the University of Kentucky to our Collegiate Partnership Program.”

“Being a part of the U.S. Polo Assn. Collegiate Polo Program is great exposure for us as students, as well as for our team and our school as we continue to play and promote the sport this season,” said Jayson Palmer, a senior at Morehouse College studying Biology and Public Health. “As the first HBCU school to join the program, we look forward to proudly wearing our U.S. Polo Assn. gear and living up to the U.S. Polo Assn. core values.”

There is no doubt that Covid-19 has hit sports teams and universities hard from both an academic and athletic perspective. While some schools have not re-opened in person or have opted to keep contact sports sidelined this year, the need to keep student athletes practicing and working together is critical to their development and advancement on and off the field.

“The UK polo team is thrilled to partner with U.S. Polo Assn. this year and to proudly represent the brand both on and off the field. This is an exciting opportunity for the club, and one that we feel will be beneficial for everyone involved,” said Federico Puyana, President of the University of Kentucky Polo Club. “We know this is just the beginning of something great for our Team and for the U.S. Polo Assn. brand.”

Notes Carlucho Arellano, executive director of the United States Polo Association (USPA), “Student athletes need support now more than ever and the USPA is proud to have our U.S. Polo Assn. brand partner with these schools. While this year is unlike any other with less schools playing and practicing on college grounds, we are thrilled to have Morehouse College and University of Kentucky as astounding additions to our polo roster as we look to expand our list of schools for years to come.”