Smack Sportswear Broadens Reach With Sponsorship Of Top International Volleyball Team, Patriotas De Lares

Online, December 3, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Smack Sportswear (OTCBB: SMAK), the leading brand of custom-designed volleyball apparel for both indoor and beach volleyball players alike, today announced a partnership with the Patriotas de Lares, as their official volleyball apparel supplier.

As the company grows in size, Smack's reach into new territories will expand as well. The latest milestone is a partnership between Smack and top Puerto Rico indoor men's team, Patriotas de Lares. The Patriotas (Patriots) have been a major force in men's professional volleyball in Puerto Rico for many years and are currently in a three-way battle for this season's top slot.

The team represents the city of Lares, a small mountain municipality of Puerto Rico's central-western area, about an hour and a half outside San Juan, located north of Maricao and Yauco. While small geographically and in population, Lares does have a major claim to fame: The 1868 uprising that happened there, brought on by pro-independence rebels who wanted Puerto Rico to gain its freedom from Spain. The movement, known thereafter as El Grito de Lares (literally, The Cry of Lares, or Lares Revolt), was soon extinguished, making Lares the site of the shortest-lived republic ever.

The flag of Lares is now considered by many Puerto Ricans to be their symbol of independence. Initially developed to represent the island's struggle to gain its emancipation from Spain, the flag is now used by those struggling to liberate the island from the United States.

In effort to bolster their squad against rivals, the Patriotas recently added some big firepower by signing long-time Smack athlete, Dave McKienzie. A dominant player on the international circuit for many years (and the most dominant player on Smack's Manhattan Beach Surffest 6-man team, the Magnums), Dave is fast becoming opposing teams worst nightmare with his brutal serve and aggressive offense. Prior to becoming the Patriotas poster boy, Dave was part of the U.S. men's indoor team in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

"I'm so proud of Dave's many accomplishments. He introduced us to the owner of the Patriotas and thought we'd be a perfect fit with our high end custom performance uniforms," stated Bill Sigler, close friend of Dave and CEO of Smack.

Smack's deal is focused on being the team's primary apparel sponsor, dressing the players and coaches for tournaments and social events. In exchange, the team will promote Smack at all volleyball events, on their website and through social media channels. Additionally, Smack will work with various educational groups to help grow the sport among Puerto Rican youths. As part, Smack will provide apparel and equipment to the local community at a significant discount, while also donating prizing for amateur events.