NEWS

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 historically black college and university (HBCU) to the program, Morehouse College, as well as the University of Kentucky (UK). Over forty teams annually participate from schools which span from the 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 and gear bags along with a financial donation. In turn, the players wear official U.S. Polo Assn. gear while practicing in the area as well as during campus life whether that be virtually 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,” explained USPAGL President and CEO, J. Michael Prince. “They not only represent the future of the sport of polo but are the future leaders and visionaries of America. 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 Morehouse College senior. “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 reopened 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,” said Federico Puyana, President of the University of Kentucky Polo Club. “This is an exciting opportunity for the club, and one that we feel will be beneficial for everyone involved. We know this is just the beginning of something great for our team and for the U.S. Polo Assn. brand.”

As a former I/I alumni from the University of Virginia (UVA), Carlucho Arellano, USPA Executive Director of Services, is proud to see the brand support these young up-and-coming polo players. “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,” Arellano said. “While this year is unlike any other with fewer schools playing and practicing on college grounds, we are thrilled to have Morehouse College and UK as valuable additions to our polo roster as we look to expand our list of schools for years to come.”