Tachikara is a Japanese sports ball brand. It was established in Tokyo in 1915 by Iimuro Toyosaburo.[1] The brand has been a sponsor of Olympic events and organizations, and is known primarily for its volleyballs.[2][3]
| Industry | Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1915 |
| Founder | Toyaburo Iimuro |
| Headquarters | 2-7-2, Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0036 Japan |
Key people | Wataru Takahashi (Representative Director) |
| Products | Sports equipment |
| Website | en.tachikara.jp tachikara.com |
Olympics and affiliates edit
Tachikara was the official ball maker of the 1964 Summer Olympics, the 1968 Summer Olympics, and the 1980 Summer Olympics.[1][4]
Volleyballs and volleyball nets made by Tachikara were used in the 1976 Summer Olympics.[2]
Tachikara was the official ball of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as volleyball was growing in popularity in the latter half of the 20th century, and the Canadian Volleyball Association, which eventually joined the FIVB, used the sale of Tachikara volleyballs as part of its early growth as an organization.[5]
Tachikara has also sponsored USA Volleyball, which is the national governing body of volleyball in the United States.[3]
Colleges edit
AVCA edit
From 1980 to 1994, Tachikara sponsored the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll of the top ten women's college teams on a bi-weekly basis.[6] The poll was known as Tachikara Top Ten Division I Women’s Volleyball Poll.[6]
NJCAA edit
Tachikara has been a sponsor of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) since 1985.[7] This has made Tachikara the official brand of volleyballs used at two-year colleges in the United States for decades.[7]
NAIA edit
In 2008, Tachikara renewed its sponsorship of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), making the Tachikara SV-5W the official volleyball for NAIA through 2012.[8] In 2012, the partnership was extended to 2017.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b "About Us". Tachikara.jp. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ a b Trumbull, Robert (15 October 1974). "Olympic Advertising Is Planned". The New York Times. p. 59. Retrieved 13 August 2023. (subscription required)
- ^ a b "USA Fact Sheet". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Chapter XII: The Cultural Programme" (PDF). International Olympic Committee Library. p. 526. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Indoor". Volleyball Canada. Archived from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ a b "AVCA Polls History". BYUCougars.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Tachikara and NJCAA renew sponsorship agreement". National Junior College Athletic Association. 9 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ Schottman, Staci (7 March 2008). "NAIA and Tachikara Extend Partnership to 2012". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "NAIA and Tachikara Extend Partnership to 2017". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. 18 December 2012. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.