For Immediate Release

For More Information Contact:

Emily Klem

609.555.5555

klem2@tcnj.edu

Nike sponsored golf program at TCNJ sparks protest

DECEMBER 1, 2000-EWING, N.J Three anti-sweatshop activists argued against

allowing Nike to sponsor the Junior Golf summer program in May. The

activists interrupted a meeting where public relations workers for The

College of New Jersey were discussing the event.

Th public relations committee was leaning towards supporting the event due

to the good it would do for the youth of Trenton. Emphasis was also

placed on the healing it would provide between The College and the people

of Trenton who believed, due to the name change, that The College was

trying to separate itself from Trenton. These were among some of the

positive effects of the program, but the activists brought up some of the

drawbacks, these drawbacks caused by using Nike as a corporate sponsor of

the program.

Nike has been accused of using sweatshop labor in its factories over seas.

These sweatshops exploit their workers by paying meager wages and allowing

dangerous working conditions to exist. These unethical practices have

caused problems for Nike, and a main concern for The College is whether or

not to be associated with this.

Without the financial support of Nike, the program will not be able to

happen this year. Nike's participation in the event is critical for the

program to happen. Tiger Woods is also scheduled to make an appearance

presenting awards to participants who excelled in the Junior Golf program.

This would provide publicity for the Junior Golf program as well as The

College. However, the anti-sweatshop activists promised that if the

program goes forward and Nike comes to The College, the activists will

provide a "public relations nightmare."

One of the activists was Janet Gray. She is a professor of Gender Studies

at The College and a human rights advocate. Professor Gray suggests that

The College should reject Nike as a corporate sponsor, and seek support

from other sources. Two sources that she suggested were Hollywood Against

Sweatshops and the Coalition for Socially Responsible Athletes.

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