Larry Dean

Leathernecks Announce New and Extended Sponsorships

Monday, April 08, 2024 | By: WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Macomb, Illinois – Ahead of the April 19, 2024, Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring Football game, the Leathernecks are recognizing a number of key businesses returning to the Western Illinois University Athletic sponsorship program with partnership extensions. Additionally, our department is welcoming a number of new partners in 2024 as the Leathernecks begin their first full year of membership in the Ohio Valley Conference for all 17 varsity sports.

"Our focus the past several months has been on our community outreach through the Leatherneck Sports Properties corporate sponsorship platform and our approach to selling season tickets for the 2024 Leatherneck football season," said WIU Athletic Director Paul A. Bubb. "The progress and support we have received is a testament to the strength and loyalty of our fans, alumni, and the Leatherneck brand. The WIU community and the entire Leatherneck athletic department want to take this opportunity to thank these organizations that have extended their partnerships with us, and we want to welcome our new partners to the Leatherneck family."

In the past several months, the Leathernecks have launched partnership extensions or new partnerships with the following companies:

First Bankers Trust Company: Representative of their commitment to Leatherneck Athletics, First Bankers Trust Company, headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, has agreed to sponsor the Leathernecks with their unique radio and in-house promotion of each first down the Leathernecks gain during the upcoming football season, known as the 'First Bankers Trust First Down.' The agreement also includes a game sponsorship for both men's and women's basketball programs. Conveniently located in Quincy, Macomb, Carthage, Springfield, Rushville, Mendon, and O'Fallon in Illinois, as well as St. Charles, Missouri, First Bankers Trust has been serving the west central Illinois region since 1946. First Bankers Trust also offers professional lending for hunting and recreational land through its Buck Land Funding division, as well as specialized funding for mobile home communities through its MHC Funding division.

Nutrien Ag Solutions: The new agreement, making Nutrien Ag Solutions the Leatherneck's first sponsor of Ag Day 2024, is a multi-year agreement supporting all of WIU's 17 NCAA Division I athletic programs. The partnership focuses on the importance of the local agriculture community. Ag Day, set for the Leathernecks first home football game on September 28, 2024, will be a celebration of Illinois Agriculture. Be sure to contact Leatherneck Sports Properties (LSP) at rickcrasports@gmail.com for information on how to reserve your spot in the pregame festivities of AG Day '24.

McDonough District Hospital (MDH): Last week, MDH, one of the largest employers in Macomb and McDonough County, signed a multi-year partnership with Leatherneck Athletics. The "Official Healthcare Provider" for WIU Athletics, MDH is proud to support the health and well-being of all Leatherneck student-athletes, coaches, and staff. MDH is committed to providing the best and affordable healthcare to the west central Illinois region.

Jimmy John's: The local branch of Jimmy John's, which has origins in the state of Illinois, has agreed to sponsor multiple golf outings for the Leathernecks: the Leatherneck Club golf outing, WIU football golf outing, and the WIU baseball golf outing. The multi-year agreement also includes the sponsorship of one home football game each year, along with one home women's basketball game.

Clock Tower Community Bank: Earlier this year, WIU athletics signed a long-term partnership agreement with the region's leading banking institution, Clock Tower Community Bank. Clock Tower Community Bank continues to lead the way when it comes to supporting and sponsoring the Fighting Leathernecks.

MTC Communications: The Leathernecks welcome back an old friend as MTC Communications has agreed to sponsor WIU Athletics' annual WESPYs, an end-of-the-year student-athlete awards ceremony. The multi-year agreement includes MTC Communications as a prominent advertiser on Leatherneck Radio Network for all live broadcasts throughout each season. The connection supporting WIU Athletics, MTC is committed to providing reliable service with cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation, improve quality of life, and promote economic development in their region and nationwide.

ABOUT WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Western Illinois University Athletics is an NCAA Division I FCS athletic program competing in 17 sports. A member of the Ohio Valley Conference in all sports, the Leathernecks have a rich tradition of competitive and academic excellence, boasting 55 All-Americans and 34 Academic All-Americans. The mission of WIU Athletics, as an integral component of the University's mission, is to provide an outstanding intercollegiate athletics experience to an academically successful and diverse NCAA Division I student-athlete population.

ABOUT LEATHERNECK SPORTS PROPERTIES

Leatherneck Sports Properties (LSP), created in 2023, is the official multimedia rights holder for the Western Illinois University Athletics department. We provide the excitement and attraction of college athletics as a unique advertising and marketing opportunity to communicate your company's message while positively impacting your company's bottom line. LSP offers corporate customers a multitude of marketing and multimedia sponsorship opportunities that include live in-game video board production, regional radio coverage, in-store promotions and co-branding opportunities, venue signage at all of our on-campus venues, event impact and game day marketing, as well as corporate marketing, promotions, hospitality, print, and brand exposure on goleathernecks.com.

Just like every sport or season is different for Leatherneck Athletics, every partnership is different. Some sponsors focus on radio advertising and publications to enhance brand awareness, while others focus on fan engagement with contests and in-store promotions. Sometimes a field sign at Hanson Field or a between-the-benches sign at Western Hall is oftentimes the perfect fit to capture in-game views at home during the television broadcasts. Other times, organizing a visit from Colonel Rock is at the top of a client's list. Regardless of what you're looking for, we are here to help. Contact LSP today for more information on Ag Day on September 28 at Hanson Field.

LSP can build a customized marketing package for your business or corporation that capitalizes on our loyal fans throughout each season. Please contact LSP for more information on collaborating with the Leatherneck Athletics and its multiple media and marketing platforms.

Contact Information: Rick Thompson, Leatherneck Sports Properties 678-448-2115 or rickcrasports@gmail.com

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