For immediate useNov. 14, 1997 -- No. 859

Nike agrees to request for UNC-CH delegation to visit plants

CHAPEL HILL -- Nike Inc. has agreed to allow a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill delegation to visit its plants abroad to personally observe working conditions, Chancellor Michael Hooker said today (Nov. 14).

Hooker, who made the announcement at a meeting of the UNC-CH Faculty Council, Thursday asked Nike officials to consider such a tour. Today, Nike agreed to the request.

“This kind of personal experience will go a long way in showing the campus community the true picture of operations in Nike plants,” Hooker said. “Right now, Nike's critics and supporters are basing their debate largely on the research of others to support their stance. I commend the work by both members of the Nike Awareness Campaign and Support the Swoosh, but nothing can replace learning by doing -- or, in this case, learning through first-hand experience.

“I also want to thank Nike for so quickly accepting my suggestion,” Hooker added. “I fully appreciate the fact that they did not have to agree to this, and it speaks highly of Nike's integrity that they were so willing to comply.”

Kit Morris, Nike's director of college relations, said that this is the first time a university administrator had made such a suggestion.

“Chancellor Hooker's request was met with enthusiasm at the Nike campus,” said Morris. “Conceptually, Nike has agreed to his idea. We welcome the opportunity to educate our university partners on this issue and the chance to demonstrate Nike's commitment to the highest standards in our industry.”

Nike and UNC-CH will iron out details about the trip later, Morris said.

Last July, UNC-CH signed a five-year, $7.1 million contract with Nike. The agreement includes athletic apparel for teams as well as cash compensation for the athletics department -- one of the nation's few wholly revenue-supported programs -- and $400,000 for an academic enhancement fund.

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UNC-CH contacts: Mike McFarland, Laura J. Toler, Karen Moon (broadcast), 919-962-2091

Nike contact: Vizhier Corpuz, public relations manager, 503- 671-4460. She is expected to be in her office this afternoon and would know how to reach Morris. E-mail: vizhier.mooney@nike.com