JEFFERSON, IA – April 13, 2015 — American Athletic, Inc. (AAI), the leading U.S. manufacturer of gymnastics apparatus in all categories, has signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Olympian gymnast Sam Mikulak. He joins U.S. fellow Olympian Nastia Liukin on Team AAI.
“AAI provided the equipment that I grew up on,” said Mikulak. “Every child in the U.S. has built their dreams of competing on the grandest of stages and AAI has provided us the opportunity to accomplish our goals safely and reliably. I look forward to my partnership with AAI, to represent the finest of equipment as I continue to chase my dreams in this sport.”
Mikulak, a seven-time NCAA champion in gymnastics won the all-around and several other titles in 2011, 2013 and the 2014 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics championship. His strong credentials also earned him a spot on the U.S. men’s gymnastics team that competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He was the first male gymnast from the University of Michigan to be named to the U.S. Olympic team.
“AAI is pleased to have an athlete of Sam’s caliber represent our brand because we have a shared mission of being the very best in all categories of our industry,” said Lisa Ebersole, Marketing Manager. “He is versatile and committed both as a world-class gymnast and as a brand ambassador for AAI.”
Mikulak participated in the 2014 P&G U.S. Championships in Pittsburgh and placed first overall in all-around final and pommel horse and second in high bar. He participated October 2014 in Nanning, China, representing Team USA in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. He won a bronze medal with the US Team in the team competition. He was named undergraduate assistant coach for the University of Michigan men’s team in August 2014.
Mikulak represented the U.S. against a strong international field at the 2015 AT&T American Cup, a FIG World Cup event. Mikulak earned fourth in the individual all-around competition.
About AAI
AAI was founded in Jefferson, Iowa in 1954, and over the past 60 years of commitment and dedication to the sport, the AAI brand has enjoyed a rich history as the world’s premier gymnastics product line. AAI is the chosen gymnastics equipment supplier for most major championships, including the Goodwill Games, the Pan American Games, the Special Olympics, the NCAA® Championships, various World Gymnastics Championships (2003, 1999, 1991, and 1979), and the 1996 and 1984 Olympic Games. Today, AAI is the official equipment supplier to USA Gymnastics®, an official supporter of the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and an official partner to Taishan® Sports China. AAI has been the only Official Equipment Supplier for USA Gymnastics® since the organization was founded in the ’60s and is also the only U.S. equipment manufacturer whose line of gymnastics products has been tested and approved by FIG. Visit: http://www.americanathletic.com/about.