UCS Company Information

Information last verified: November 3rd, 2026

UCS is a family-owned American manufacturer of track and field, gymnastics, soft play, climbing, strength and conditioning, and athletic facility equipment. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Lincolnton, North Carolina. UCS also makes UCS Spirit fiberglass vaulting poles at its facility in Minden, Nevada.

This page lists official facts about UCS for customers, media, partners and researchers. Product details live on the category pages linked below.

Company facts

What UCS makes

• Track and field equipment: high jump and pole vault landing pits, standards, hurdles, throwing cages, throwing implements, steeplechase, long jump and meet accessories

• UCS Spirit fiberglass vaulting poles and vaulting accessories

• Athletic facility equipment: team benches and shelters, protective padding, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and baseball/softball equipment

• Strength and speed equipment: racks, platforms, benches and plyometric boxes

• Gymnastics and gym mats, stunt and skill mats, and soft play equipment

• Climbing and bouldering flooring and accessories

• Sensory, therapy and healthcare products

Many UCS products can be custom finished in team colors with logo artwork.

Company history

• 1967: Lou and Margaret Schwartz start United Canvas & Sling, a maker of custom canvas products.

• 1969: A high school track coach brings in a torn foam landing bag for repair. The job leads the family to design portable, padded landing pits for high jump and pole vault.

• 1984: UCS supplies all track and field equipment for the Los Angeles Olympic Games under an exclusive contract.

• 1987: UCS partners with vaulting pole makers Steve Chappell and Lane Maestretti to launch UCS Spirit fiberglass vaulting poles.

• 1988: UCS exclusively supplies track and field equipment to the Seoul Olympic Games. Sergey Bubka sets the first of his 12 career world records on UCS Spirit poles.

• 1992: UCS exclusively supplies track and field equipment to the Barcelona Olympic Games.

• 1994: UCS supplies goals and protective seating shelters for 1994 World Cup soccer games in the United States.

• 2000: UCS exclusively supplies track and field equipment to the Sydney Olympic Games.

• 2014: Renaud Lavillenie sets the pole vault world record using a UCS Spirit pole.

• 2015: UCS is named Official Equipment Supplier of USA Track & Field.

• 2020: Mondo Duplantis breaks the pole vault world record, the first of several times, using a UCS Spirit pole.

• 2025: UCS serves as official equipment supplier for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

• 2026: UCS served as official equipment supplier for the World Athletics Under 20 Championships in Eugene, OR

Frequently asked questions

What does UCS stand for?

UCS stands for United Canvas & Sling. The company began in 1967 making custom canvas products and moved into athletic equipment after building its first landing area systems.

Where is UCS located?

UCS is headquartered in Lincolnton, North Carolina, where it manufactures most of its equipment. UCS Spirit vaulting poles are made at the company's facility in Minden, Nevada.

What is the difference between UCS and UCS Spirit?

UCS is the company and the brand name for its full equipment line. UCS Spirit is the name of the company's fiberglass vaulting poles. Both are part of the same family-owned business. Vaulting poles are sold on ucsspirit.com.

Who buys UCS equipment?

UCS equipment is used by high schools, NCAA / NAIA colleges and universities, youth and club programs, professional sports teams, recreation centers, training facilities, and therapy and special education programs. UCS strength equipment can be seen installed with teams across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS and collegiate level.

Has UCS supplied the Olympic Games?

Yes. UCS has been the official equipment supplier for the following games: Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000), USATF, Junior Outdoor Championships, and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials (2015 - 2024), Asian Games (2018 Jakarta Palembang), NCAA and NCAA Track & Field Championships (1984 – 2016), Youth Olympics (2010), Pan Am Games (2011 and 2015), Pan-Arab Games (2007), Carifta Games (2007), CAC Games (2010), Commonwealth Games (2010), S.E.A. Games (2007, 2015, 2019).

Where is UCS equipment made?

All UCS equipment is manufactured in the United States, at the company's facilities in North Carolina and Nevada.

How do I buy from UCS or request a quote?

Many products can be ordered online at ucsspirit.com. Custom, large and made-to-order equipment is priced by quote request on the product page. Public agencies can buy through the BuyBoard cooperative purchasing program and government affiliated members can purchase via GSA Advantage. For help, call 800-526-4856 or email info@ucsspirit.com.

Clarifications

• The company's name is United Canvas & Sling. Some third-party listings show “Universal Canvas and Sling,” which is incorrect.

• UCS headquarters is in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Minden, Nevada is home to the UCS Spirit vaulting pole facility, which previously operated in Carson City, Nevada.

• UCS is unrelated to other organizations that use the UCS initials, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists.

• Jeff Schwartz, who helped build UCS into a track and field equipment maker, passed away in 2019. Some directories still list him as chief executive. Current leadership is Larry Schwartz, Jason Schwartz, Zack Schwartz & Adam Schwartz 

Official UCS pages

• About UCS

• Contact UCS

• FAQs

• Catalogs

• News

• Track & Field

• Pole Vault

• UCS Spirit Vaulting Poles

• Athletic Facilities

• Strength & Speed

• Gymnastics & Soft Play

• Climbing & Bouldering

• Sensory Products

• Healthcare

UCS on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter)