Parkside-Jockey partnership named a finalist for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence

The partnership between Parkside Athletics and Jockey was recognized by the NCAA on Monday, with Parkside being named a finalist for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence and the winner for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

As part of Division II’s emphasis on community engagement, the division annually honors institutions and conferences with the Award of Excellence for community engagement efforts. Parkside was recognized for its partnership with Jockey that benefits both organizations, the Jockey Being Family Foundation, the community, and Parkside student-athletes.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized as a conference winner and finalist for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence,” said Andrew Gavin, Director of Athletics. “Our Jockey partnership has been impactful from the start, and we’re excited to continue to build the relationship in ways that benefit our student-athletes and our community.”

Jockey International is a 145-year-old global company that has called Kenosha home for more than 120 years. The University of Wisconsin-Parkside has called Southeastern Wisconsin home for more than 50 years. In fall 2021, Jockey and Parkside came together to form a unique partnership that has positively impacted not only the Rangers’ student-athletes but also the community. In September, Jockey and Parkside announced a partnership that helped outfit the Ranger student-athletes with the Jockey Player Pack. The Jockey Player Packs, totaling approximately $50,000 in gear, included Parkside co-branded performance tops and bottoms in addition to jackets and socks.

The generosity of Jockey does not stop at donated product, as the company and its Jockey Being Family Foundation has consistently given back to the local, regional, and global community for more than a century. This commitment has provided Parkside’s student-athletes another avenue for meaningful community engagement. Parkside Athletics and its student-athletes stepped up to support the Jockey Undie Run on Saturday, Oct. 9 at Petrifying Springs Park adjacent to UW-Parkside’s campus. The Undie Run was a 3K community run/walk with nearly 500 participants that raised funds for the Jockey Being Family Foundation.

To support the event, student-athletes from wrestling, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball volunteered to assist with parking, work booths, and hang out with youth in attendance. In addition, the Parkside cross country program donated a timing system and additional equipment and the University provided use of parking lots.

Parkside has also supported Lincoln Middle School, a local middle school that Jockey adopted for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. In October, Parkside wrestling student-athletes assisted with efforts to repair the school’s garden.

On Saturday, Feb. 5, Jockey and Parkside are planning to team up again for a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader. Parkside will provide free admission to Jockey employees and families, while Jockey will welcome adoptive families for a fun afternoon cheering on the Rangers and raising awareness and funds for the Jockey Being Family Foundation.