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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (September 21, 2026) – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has signed a three-year partnership with HatLaunch as the Official Championship Hat of the NAIA. Under the partnership, the company will provide the hats for NAIA national championship events, helping commemorate championship moments for student-athletes across the association.
The partnership between the NAIA and HatLaunch is a collaboration intended to celebrate student-athletes in those Red Banner moments, according the NAIA release. The championship hat is a lasting reminder of the hard work, hours of practice, and teamwork that went into claiming victory. Receiving an exclusive hat in the moment of triumph makes the accomplishment tangible and keeps the celebration going long after the tournament is over.
“Becoming a champion takes years, with many early mornings, missed weekends, or the seasons that don’t go your way. When it finally happens, there’s one thing that marks it forever: the championship hat,” states Chief Sales Officer Danny Gifford. “It’s not merchandise. It’s the object that holds that moment for good. For the next three years, we’re the ones building it for NAIA’s champions across all 31 Championships. Every stitch has to be right, because that moment only happens once. Grateful to partner with the NAIA on these Championship hats.”
“Our goal at every NAIA championship is to create championship moments that our student-athletes will remember long after the competition ends. Championship keepsakes have become part of that experience — something our champions can put on in that moment and have as a reminder of everything it took to get there,” said NAIA Vice President of Championships, Austin Bennett. “HatLaunch understands the significance of those moments, and we’re excited to partner with them to make the NAIA championship experience even more memorable.”
This partnership runs through August 2029.
