NFHS, Spalding Enter Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (August 24, 2006) - The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) - the national leadership organization for high school sports and activities in the United States - and Spalding have reached agreement on a three-year partnership.
Spalding will be the official basketball and volleyball equipment sponsor of the NFHS for the next three years, as well as the cheerleading foam-backed carpet sponsor.
NFHS, Spalding Enter Partnership
"We are excited to have Spalding on our team," said Robert F. Kanaby, NFHS executive director. "Spalding and the NFHS share a long history of supporting education-based high school athletics. This is a winning partnership."

The NFHS writes playing rules in 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level, including basketball, volleyball and spirit competition. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 18,500 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7 million in high school sports.

Spalding manufactures a complete line of basketball, volleyball and cheerleading equipment, including basketball backstops, backboards, goals, volleyball systems, protective padding, foam-backed carpet and accessories. Spalding equipment is primarily sold through its national dealer network to schools and other segments of the institutional market.

"Spalding is proud to support the NFHS," said Mark Shaw, general manager of Spalding. "This partnership will allow us the opportunity to foster relationships with its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia and bring valuable equipment solutions to their facilities."

The NFHS, founded in 1920 and based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization that is dedicated to the future of high school sports and activities, as it helps educators and associations prepare for change and innovation, and encourages the participation that will help students prepare for their lives.