COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Volleyball (USAV) is pleased to announce that it has renewed its official sponsorship and supplier agreement with Mizuno Japan through the 2005-2008 quadrennium.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mizuno Japan will supply all of the performance footwear and apparel for USA Volleyball’s senior national teams, youth and junior national teams and World University Games squads. 

“We are very proud to renew our partnership with Mizuno Japan,” said USA Volleyball Secretary General, Kerry Klostermann, who traveled to Japan last week to finalize the agreement.  “We have enjoyed considerable success with Mizuno as our partner.” 

Mizuno Japan was USA Volleyball’s national team sponsor for 12 years from 1981-1992, a period of time that saw Team USA capture five Olympic medals.  The men’s team earned gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic Games.

The women’s team took the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics and earned the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics.

Mizuno Japan and USA Volleyball teamed up again for the 2001-2004 quadrennium and have seen the world’s No. 2-ranked women’s national team earn a gold medal at the 2001 World Grand Prix, a silver medal at the 2002 World Championships and a bronze medal (and a 2004 Olympic berth) at the 2003 World Cup. 

The men’s team, which won the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico earlier this year, has seen its world ranking rise to No. 6 following a strong fourth-place finish at the 2003 World Cup and by winning the gold medal at the 2003 NORCECA Championships