MONTGOMERY, Ala.–College football is back, and as the 2017 season gets underway credit unions across the country are doing more than just taking games in on TV.
Countless credit unions are also involved in various levels of sponsorship with high school football programs across the U.S.
Playing a primary role in kicking off the season was the Guardian Credit Union FCU Kickoff game at the Cramton Bowl. In the season opener for both teams, Jacksonville State defeated Chattanooga 27-13. The game was broadcast nationally on ESPN. Guardian Credit Union has already committed to again sponsoring the Kickoff game in 2018.
Among other football tie-ins this season among credit unions:
- In Fort Wayne, Ind., MidWest America FCU is sponsoring the Midwest America FCU Football Fan Choice Player of the Week voting in conjunction with the News-Sentinel. Readers cast ballots each week to decide the high school Player of the Week.
- At the University of West Florida in Pensacola, the Argonauts are playing their home games at Pen Air FCU Field. The credit union, which has a longstanding relationship with the university, made a $1-million donation to secure naming rights.
- Before the season even began, America First Credit Union and its employees participated in the 11th annual Utah State University (USU) Ladies Football Clinic on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium.
- For the second year in a row, Public Service Credit Union is the Official Credit Union of the Rocky Mountain Showdown 2017. The showdown is the annual battle between in-state football rivals, Colorado State University (CSU Rams) and University of Colorado (CU Buffaloes). “We love supporting our communities and celebrating the spirit of Colorado,” said Todd Marksberry, PSCU President & CEO in a statement. “We want to help people afford life, including the costs of college by providing scholarship opportunities as well as free financial education in local communities and schools. We’re so proud to be part of this classic match-up between these two great schools!”
- In addition to sponsoring the annual event, PSCU fueled some college spirit with a #RockTheShowdown social media photo contest for CSU and CU fans to win free tickets to the Showdown. Ten lucky fans won two tickets, each, selected by online voters. PSCU has surther sponsored the Pass, Punt, & Kick Contest providing free tickets to the Showdown and a chance to win $25,000! Two contestants, one CSU fan and one CU fan, will be randomly selected to compete on the field during the game.
- In Pocatello, Idaho, the annual "I love ISU" campaign is back. As part of the campaign, ISU Credit Union presented the campaign with a check for $8,000. "I Love ISU" raises money from the community and businesses to help ISU students with scholarships. The official kickoff for the campaign will be at tailgating before ISU's first home football game of the season on Aug. 31.
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In Harrisburg, Penn., Pennsylvania State Employees CU has become a Keystone Partner with the Penn State Nittany Lions. PSECU said it is joining four other companies as a Penn State Athletics’ Keystone Partner and will serve as sole presenting sponsor for the Penn State football season for the next three years. The Keystone designation provides the credit union with significant visibility across Penn State’s radio and television outlets, its social media platforms and GOPSUSPORTS.com official athletic website. Additionally, as an official corporate partner, PSECU will receive in-venue presence throughout Beaver Stadium, Bryce Jordan Center, Pegula Ice Arena, Jeffrey Field and Rec Hall, and serve as presenting sponsor of Mount Nittany Club.
- The University of Houston Cougars will be playing their home games at TDECU Stadium, following a naming rights deal with Texas Dow Employees Credit Union. The new stadium opened in 2014.
- Service Credit Union in Portsmouth, N.H. has reached an agreement with the University of New Hampshire so that the premium stadium club-seating area in the new Wildcat football stadium is now known as the Service Credit Union Victory Club.
- The football season will again conclude with a credit union-sponsored bowl game. San Diego County Credit Union this year will sponsor the annual Holiday Bowl. For the past 12 years SDCCU has sponsored the Poinsettia Bowl, but that game is being discontinued. Both bowls are played in Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
