HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU Athletics has agreed to a multi-year partnership with Macron, an established global sportswear brand specializing in high-performance teamwear, headquartered in Bologna, Italy. Macron will exclusively outfit all of FDU's 23 varsity athletic programs beginning in July 2026.

This partnership is rooted in a shared set of core values and aligns with a key aspect of FDU's mission—its global focus. Adding to the two Fairleigh Dickinson campuses abroad, and a rich tradition of international student-athletes, FDU now becomes the first U.S. collegiate athletic department to ink an apparel deal with Macron.

"We could not be more thrilled to launch this partnership with Macron," said FDU Senior Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut. "As we moved deeper into this process, it became more and more evident that Macron was the perfect fit for FDU. Their attention to detail, storytelling ability and sleek designs will allow our student-athletes to perform at their best, while representing FDU in a unique and exciting way."

Macron is the technical sponsor of more than 100 professional clubs, national teams and federations of different sports in more than 25 countries worldwide. Its portfolio includes major brands such as Crystal Palace, Wrexham, CONCACAF, PGA Jr. League, Scottish Rugby Union, the Italian Basketball Federation and many more. By aligning with those marquee brands, FDU latches onto another segment of their mission – its goal of providing transformational experiences for the Knights' student-athletes. Additionally, Macron and FDU's agreement marks the largest apparel deal in school history.

"This partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University represents a defining moment for Macron as we enter the U.S. collegiate sports landscape," said Macron CEO Gianluca Pavanello, Macron CEO. "The United States is a highly strategic market where our model—spanning every level of the sporting pyramid—finds a natural fit. This collaboration reflects our ambition to establish a strong and lasting presence in this market. As a global teamwear specialist, we are proud to bring our quality, innovation and Italian identity to support FDU and its student-athletes in achieving excellence at every stage of their development."

The Italian high-performance sportswear brand has experienced extraordinary growth over the last 20 years and has just closed 2025 with a new record in revenue, reaching €244 million.

Founded in 1971, Macron started its business as a sporting goods shop. In the 1980s, it transformed into a small manufacturing company and began producing garments for the leading sportswear brands of the time. In the 1990s, Macron created its own brand and combined production for other brands with its own. Today, Macron is an established multinational company active at every level of the sporting pyramid in over 40 countries, thanks to a unique and highly specialized teamwear distribution model.

"Today is proud and exciting day for our department. Aligning with Macron is about more than apparel, it's about identity on a global stage," said Assistant Vice President/Deputy Athletic Director Jason Young, "I want to thank Alan Elgart and Gianluigi Colisi Rossi for their belief in FDU as they enter the collegiate space. Macron brings the global perspective, creativity, and quality needed to help tell our story in a bold and authentic way, and I can't wait for our community to see what's to come."  

In Europe, the Macron Hero — the brand's iconic logo — is a familiar presence on the biggest stages of team sports. In soccer, Macron is the most widely represented kit brand across Europe's top professional leagues. In rugby, the brand serves as technical partner to 3 of the 6 nations competing in the Six Nations Championship and to 7 of the 20 teams at the last Rugby World Cup, held in France.

Macron's USA Headquarters are conveniently located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. This campus is just 62 miles away from FDU.

FDU now stands at the forefront of Macron's entrance into the U.S. collegiate sports scene, marking another innovative chapter in the Athletic Department's history. As most departments in the country cut sports in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, FDU trailblazed their own path and added four varsity sports since 2020. In 2022, the Knights catapulted the success of their men's basketball program by hiring a Division II head coach, who led the team to a stunning upset of #1 Purdue in the 2023 NCAA tournament just ten months later. Now, in partnership with Macron, FDU positions itself as a leader among other athletic departments in the realm of apparel deals.

The deal designates Macron as the exclusive designer of all FDU's uniforms. Macron's cutting-edge technology, innovative design, and Italian Savoir-Faire, will offer FDU's athletes a bold new look that allows them to maximize performance, while simultaneously growing the Knights' Athletic brand.

More information about FDU's new Macron-made uniforms will be available in the coming months. The launch is set for July 2026.

ABOUT MACRON
Macron is an iconic Italian brand in high-performance sportswear and a key player in an extraordinary growth journey over the past 20 years. Its success is rooted in an unwavering passion for innovative design, superior quality and cutting-edge technology. By deeply understanding the needs and aspirations of teams, athletes and sports enthusiasts, Macron consistently develops apparel and accessories that inspire individuals to unleash their full potential, while fostering a strong sense of team spirit that helps everyone become the best version of themselves.

The name Macron originates from the Greek prefix "μακρο" (makro), meaning "great." Therefore, ambition and the commitment to growth are embedded in the brand's identity. The company's logo, the Macron Hero, symbolizes an athlete celebrating the achievement of their goal and embodies the brand's philosophy: #BecomeYourOwnHero.

ABOUT FDU ATHLETICS
FDU is home to 23 NCAA Division I teams and 133 NEC Championships. A member of the NEC, the Knights have had tremendous success in the classroom, in athletic competition as well as giving back to the Bergen County community. FDU became the first school in Northeast Conference (NEC) history to win championships in women's volleyball, women's soccer, and men's soccer in the same season (2022). In 2023, the Burgundy and Blue also became the first NEC school to win two games as a 16-seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, including an upset over top-seeded Purdue. As a result of its incredible 2022-23 season, FDU placed 92nd in the Learfield Director's Cup, the first NEC program to finish in the Top 100. In 2024 Salif Mane captured the Triple jump title at the 2024 NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, went on to win the gold medal at the Team USA Olympic Trials, and compete at the Paris Olympics. In 2025, FDU won four conference championships in the span of 35 days in women's basketball, women's bowling, women's golf, and women's tennis. Off the field, FDU student-athletes were recognized for their efforts in the community by winning the NEC Building Communities Award in 2020, 2024 and 2025. In addition to recent championships, FDU holds five additional national championships, three in sport of women's fencing and two in women's bowling.