The562’s cross country and track & field coverage is sponsored by Joe Carlson & Debbie Hughes.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The high school track & field community always has an eye on California’s athletes, and the fastest ones often come from Long Beach. So it’s no surprise that a prominent athletic brand has made its way to the LBC for a strategic partnership.
Thanks to a recent run of success that few schools outside the International City can claim, the Wilson Bruins recently announced a sponsorship deal with New Balance, providing new uniforms and equipment to the Bruins’ track & field and cross country programs.
“I think what it does is, it helps our athletes see what we can achieve,” said Wilson co-head track coach Neil Nelson. “I think when they see stuff like this happening, it makes them take a step back and just think, ‘Okay, I’ve gotta go.’ It motivates them to train harder and keep their eyes on the prize … So I think it’s good for the kids. We’re gonna be coaches, we’re gonna do what we do. But I think when (the kids) see it, when you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you run fast. So I’m happy.”
Nelson said the agreement with New Balance is a three-year sponsorship, with a total value to the program just shy of $300,000. That includes three sets of uniforms (in maroon, white, and black) plus an array of equipment that includes an annual allotment of 250 pairs of New Balance shoes and 250 pairs of spikes.
Nelson said the black uniforms will be worn sparingly, reserved for specific meets. Wilson cross country head coach CJ Brewer also announced that New Balance would be sponsoring the Long Beach Relays and the California Relays, both hosted annually by the Bruins.
New Balance sent a team of representatives to the Wilson High Auditorium to help launch the sponsorship, bringing New Balance athlete Vernon Norwood along to meet the team. Norwood is a two-time Olympian, winning a pair of gold medals in the men’s 4x400m relay in the Tokyo and Paris Games.
Taking the mic from the New Balance team was Brianna Stone, who oversees community and field operations for the brand. She spoke about what drew New Balance to Long Beach and the Wilson High program.
“A lot of the reason we really wanted to partner with you guys and get behind this program was the coaches. We met these guys, and we were like, ‘Hey, we’ve got to work with these guys,’” Stone said to the Wilson program. “New Balance is a Boston-based company, so we’re trying to spread New Balance love out here on the West Coast. And what better way to do it than working with a school like you guys? So thank you so much for wanting to partner with us. We’re really excited.”
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Wilson girls’ track & field team received their CIF State Championship rings from last season. Even the graduated seniors who couldn’t attend the ceremony were there in spirit (and via FaceTime) with their parents on stage to receive their jewelry.
Senior Brooke Blue has been part of three state title teams for the Bruins, with a chance to win a fourth this May. She said she appreciated the recognition from New Balance and what it says about the work she and her teammates have put into elevating the program.
“It feels great, and I feel happy that there’s somebody recognizing us and appreciating our talents,” Blue said. “Because we’re doing something very special here, so it feels good to have people acknowledge it and get rewarded for it.”
