The University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) Athletic Department is pleased to present the following sponsorship opportunities. Over the past few years, UNK has made some notable changes in the landscape of the athletic department. The most recent changes include the personnel additions to our athletic department and our move from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) to the Mid- America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). This move places UNK in the midst of one of the most heralded NCAA Division II conferences in the country. Acceptance into this conference is a tribute to the success and tradition our teams have enjoyed for many years.
As members of the MIAA, we will be placing our program at the forefront of Division II among respected peers. This will allow UNK to welcome even more talented student-athletes to Kearney, be more competitive in a league that is second to none across all sports, and develop our department into an even more respectable operation.
After only three seasons in the MIAA, we have won one national wrestling championship and two runner-ups; five conference championships, two in volleyball and three in wrestling; golf,cross-country, and track have all been nationally-ranked within this time, as well.
With a change in departmental leadership, opportunity for growth and repositioning our programs are top priorities. New developments as they relate to community engagement, corporate partnerships, student-athlete welfare, and achieving a competitive advantage are all a central focus of our 5 and 10- year plans.
As a sponsor, you will be involved in these new campaigns, which will promote your presence in Kearney as a game changer and supporter of the University. A long-standing partnership with UNK Athletics will be recognized and appreciated by our community.
EXPOSURE BY VENUE and SPORT PROGRAM
HEALTH & SPORTS CENTER ANNUAL EVENTS
- Home of Loper Volleyball (NCAA DII leader in attendance 9 years running) – approx. 15 home games
- Home of Loper Men & Women’s Basketball – approx. 15- 20 home games
- Home of Loper Wrestling – approx. 5 home matches
- NCAA DII National Championships - National hosts VB (2004); WBB (2007); WR (2007, 2008, 2011)
- NSAA Events: State Cross Country; State Speech
- UNK student activities: New Student Orientation, concerts, acclaimed speakers
- UNK Fine Art Events
- UNK and Kearney High School Graduations
- Camps & tournaments: volleyball, basketball & wrestling camps; volleyball club tournaments (4), Mr.& Mrs. Basketball (3), wrestling tournaments (2)
- Community wide events: concerts, national speakers (ex: President Clinton – 2001)
- Other various campus, community, regional & national events
COPE STADIUM AT FOSTER FIELD ANNUAL EVENTS
- Home of Loper Football– approx. 5-6 home games
- Home of Loper Soccer – approx. 7-9 home games
- Home of Kearney High Bearcat Football – approx. 5 home games
- “Lopers Under the Lights” host location
- Shriner’s All-Star Football Game – June
- The majority of permanent advertisement visible from 29th Street
AVERAGE ANNUAL ATTENDANCE BY SPORT (2012 - 2014)
| Sport |
Attendance |
| Men’s/Women’s Basketball |
43,000 |
| Football |
28,000 |
| Volleyball |
15,000 |
| Baseball |
4,000 |
| Wrestling |
3,000 |
| Softball |
2,500 |
| Soccer |
2,000 |
STATIC SIGNAGE
All initial production costs will be the responsibility of the sponsor (not included with any listed prices).
SCOREBOARD BACKLIT (Cope Stadium at Foster Field)
This backlit element is a year-round way to give your business exposure to a wide audience including those attending the game and daily traffic along 29th Street. It is a permanent part of the message center/ scoreboard, which displays graphics for the duration of each event. Foster Field also hosts all Kearney High Football home games, special campus events, and various camps. Hours of exposure are unlimited!
ON COURT SIGNAGE (Health and Sports Center at Buckle Court)
As one of our most prominent sponsorship options, your business will be a permanent part of the primary competition floor. This element offers maximum visibility on a front-and-center location where all of the action occurs. (Multi-year contracts are required to solidify this sponsorship).
SCOREBOARD BACKLIT (Health and Sports Center at Buckle Court)
Positioned directly above the lower-level entrances to the arena, your brand will be extremely visible in one of the most high-profile locations within our facilities. Situated next to the scoreboard, your signage will be a constant focal point for those attending Loper and non-athletic events.
SCORETABLE BACKLIT (Health and Sports Center at Buckle Court)
This static message center element offers the sponsor prime exposure for all UNK basketball, volleyball, and wrestling contests at home. The sign would be courtside and centrally located on either the east or west sideline. Total viewership hours range between 100 and 120.
CHAIRBACK TEAM BENCHES (Health and Sports Center at Buckle Court)
Your business will be the center of attention with logo recognition on both home and away team benches. The Loper logo will be prominently displayed onthe front of each chair to ensure that your brand is visible on the back throughout the entire game. There are 40 chairs between the two benches.
Chairswill be used for volleyball, basketball, and wrestling. 3-year minimum contract with a discount on years 2 and 3.
SIDELINE BARRIER AD PAD (Cope at Foster Field)
Your business will be featured on one double-sided Ad Pad field barrier sign produced by Metro Signs. These signs will face both the home and visiting sides at all home Loper Football events. The size (roughly 32” x 52”) and visibility achieved through a multiple ad space will allow for effective messaging to all fans.
MESSAGE CENTER BACKLIT (Health and Sports Center at Buckle Court)
This signage will be placed above the NW or SE entrance to the Health and Sports Center. Located directly under our message center, which displays graphics throughout the duration of each event, your brand will be visible to 95% of the crowd at all times.
CONCOURSE BARRIER AD (Health and SportsCenter at Buckle/Cope at Foster)
This mobile unit allows you as the sponsor to effectively gain exposure through various impressions that change from game to game. These signs will be displayed on the inside and outside concourses at the Health & Sports Center and Cope Stadium at Foster Field for all home contests.
BILLBOARD SIGNAGE (Health and Sports Center at Buckle Court; Cope at Foster Field)
Your business will be featured on a 7’8” x 3’4” billboard ad in the Health & Sports Center and Cope Stadium. These signs will be up the entire calendar year and will be consistent at two of the region’s most visible sporting complexes. Loper events in which this signage will be visible include Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling and Basketball, in addition to other Kearney events hosted on campus.
TWO (2) NEW CLOCKS (Health and Sports Center at Buckle Court)
These clocks will be purchased for the Northeast and Southwest corners of the Health and Sports Center. They will be prominently display your company logo and will be visible during all events.
PRINT MEDIA
ALL COLOR FOOTBALL PROGRAMS (FOOTBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL)
This feature is a great way to market your business through ad placement as well as incorporate a way to track traffic through a special promotion that drives fans back to your door. As a program sponsor, you will receive a full-page, half-page, or quarter-page ad to use at your discretion for the entire season.
SEASON TICKET PACKETS
Similar to the game day programs, this is a perfect way to market your business through ad placement and incorporate a measurable way to track business through a special promotion that drives fans back to your doors. 20,000 of these packets are sent to various people in the Kearney area during the summer to promote season ticket purchases. There are full-page and half-page options.
RESERVED SEASON TICKET BACKS
Display special offers and ads on the back of our season tickets. This element is an exclusive offer, as only one business can reserve the space. Tickets will be used for football and basketball reserved season ticket holders. A separate packet will be used for the fall and winter sports. Double exposure!
SCHEDULE CARDS
Your company will not only benefit from direct affiliation with the Lopers on campus, but it will also gain exposure off campus as these cards are placed at over 120 businesses around the Kearney region during the Fall, Winter, and Spring sport seasons.
SCHEDULE POSTERS
Loper Athletic posters are placed around Kearney in prominent viewing areas and feature high quality imagery during the Fall, Winter, and Spring sport programs. The off campus exposure you receive will improve the number of impressions your business will experience. These posters are placed in over 120 Kearney and regional businesses.
SOCIAL MEDIA, IN-GAME ELEMENTS, HOSPITALITY
TWITTER THURSDAYS/FACEBOOK FRIDAYS
Reach a different audience through means of weekly social media giveaways. UNK Athletics has over 3,750 followers on Twitter and 2,700 on Facebook that will see your brand tied directly to the Lopers. Sponsors can require the participants to “like” or “follow” their accounts in order to be eligible for the promotion. There can be one winner selected or we can post a special offer to drive business.
PREGAME/HALFTIME PROMOTION
Captivate an audience with full exposure that includes an in-game promotion that is accompanied by a public address and message board recognition. This active element offers great flexibility to be as creative, while engaging fans in a fun activity. Promotions are available for the entirety of a season.
HALFTIME STATS PRESENTING SPONSOR
Your brand will be featured as the presenting sponsor for half-time stats for in-game and radio (KGFW). Sports included on this package include Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Women's and Men's Basketball.
STUDENT RECEPTIONS
Gain exposure and connect with UNK students as a presenting sponsor for a reception in conjunction with a Loper Athletic event. Pricing and details of set-up are open and negotiable.
SCHOLARSHIP EVENTS
LOPER BASEBALL UPPER DECK BANQUET
Sponsor the Loper Baseball Upper Deck Banquet held in January of each year to kick off the baseball season. Your company will receive logo recognition at your table, and seats for 10 guests. All proceeds go directly to the Loper Baseball program.
LOPER FOOTBALL BACKERS BANQUET
Be a supporter of the Loper Football Backers Banquet. Your contribution will go towards sponsoring a table for 10 people. Any other considerations would help with bottom-line costs and enhance the effectiveness of the event and value of donor involvement. Additional funds could effectively start the contributions to “raise a scholarship,” with video board recognition.
BLUE GOLD GOLF TOURNAMENT
Sponsor a golf team of 6 for the Annual Blue Gold Golf Tournament to help raise funds for Loper Athletic scholarships. This value will also include the Loper Rewards Card for all members of your team.
COMPLIMENTARY CONSIDERATIONS
Public Address Announcements
You will be included in PA announcements in the Health & Sports Center and Cope Stadium/Foster Field as a sponsor. The number of PA announcements per event will reflect sponsors’ contributions.
Website Affiliate (Lopers.com)
Sponsorships exceeding a certain amount will be featured as a sponsor on Loper Athletics homepage
www.lopers.com Fans can browse Loper news and reach a direct link to the sponsors’ homepages.
All Sports Passes
As a corporate sponsor, you will receive All Sport Passes, which will gain you access to all regular season games (VB, TR, WR, BB) and reserved tickets (FB, MBB/WBB). These passes and tickets are valued at
$225 each. They are ideal for employee incentives or client entertainment.
Corporate Partner Mailing
Your business will be showcased as a major corporate partner in the UNK packet sent to opponents who are visiting the city of Kearney throughout the year. We will send the information that you give us, whether that is an informational sheet with contact information or a special offer for visiting teams.
For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, please contact the University of Nebraska Kearney Corporate Sponsorship Office at:
Hilke Brandon
Phone: (308) 865-8069
Fax: (308) 865-1640
Email: jorgensenjm@unk.edu
University of Nebraska Kearney
Department of Athletics
Attn: Sports Marketing
2501 15th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68849
