The College of the Ozarks – an NAIA school in Point Lookout, Missouri – said in a release Wednesday that it will “choose its country over company” and will remove all athletic uniforms purchased from Nike or that contain the Nike emblem.The private Christian college said student-athletes will no longer wear the Nike brand in response to the company's 30th-anniversary ad campaign featuring former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. “In their new ad campaign, we believe Nike executives are promoting an attitude of division and disrespect toward America,” said College of the Ozarks President Jerry C. Davis. “If Nike is ashamed of America, we are ashamed of them. We also believe that those who know what sacrifice is all about are more likely to be wearing a military uniform than an athletic uniform.” In the past, College of the Ozarks has taken a stand for its views on patriotism, the American flag and the national anthem. In October 2017, the college revised its contracts for competition in all sports, adding a stipulation that all participating players and coaches show respect for the American flag and national anthem. Dr. Marci Linson, vice president of patriotic activities and dean of admissions at the college, oversees patriotic activities and safeguards the college’s patriotic goal: to encourage an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibilities, love of country and willingness to defend it. “Nike is free to campaign as it sees fit, as the college is free, and honor-bound by its mission and goals, to ensure that it respects our country and those who truly served and sacrificed,” Linson said.

The College of the Ozarks – an NAIA school in Point Lookout, Missouri – said in a release Wednesday that it will “choose its country over company” and will remove all athletic uniforms purchased from Nike or that contain the Nike emblem.

The private Christian college said student-athletes will no longer wear the Nike brand in response to the company's 30th-anniversary ad campaign featuring former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.


“In their new ad campaign, we believe Nike executives are promoting an attitude of division and disrespect toward America,” said College of the Ozarks President Jerry C. Davis.

“If Nike is ashamed of America, we are ashamed of them. We also believe that those who know what sacrifice is all about are more likely to be wearing a military uniform than an athletic uniform.”

In the past, College of the Ozarks has taken a stand for its views on patriotism, the American flag and the national anthem.

In October 2017, the college revised its contracts for competition in all sports, adding a stipulation that all participating players and coaches show respect for the American flag and national anthem.

Dr. Marci Linson, vice president of patriotic activities and dean of admissions at the college, oversees patriotic activities and safeguards the college’s patriotic goal: to encourage an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibilities, love of country and willingness to defend it.

“Nike is free to campaign as it sees fit, as the college is free, and honor-bound by its mission and goals, to ensure that it respects our country and those who truly served and sacrificed,” Linson said.