by Marc Meyers, sports information director



(In January, Beth Beaudoin [left], manager of UCU's Farmington Branch, presented Julie Davis, director of athletics, fitness and recreation, with a check, representing a three-year committment between UCU and the UMF athletics department.)

In these tough economic times, the UMF Athletics Department has undertaken a multifaceted approach to maintaining a quality experience for student-athletes. One of these ways has been to explore appropriate revenue options.

“Division III athletics are focused on the co-curricular educational experience and overall well-being of the student-athlete rather than revenue generated by spectators via athletics as an entertainment model,” says UMF Director of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation Julie Davis.

“Thereby, our approach to generating revenue has been more through alumni, family and friends who value this experience. This year we targeted increased support from these stakeholders via a mini-campaign run by UMF’s Ferro Alumni Center and a mailing campaign involving our student-athletes and supported by the Ferro Alumni Center. We were successful on both counts and thank everyone who contributed to either program or through another means this year.

“We recognize that a more diverse revenue portfolio, with some sustainability built in, is also necessary. Thus, we began exploring increasing our sponsorships and advertising opportunities.”

Davis helped broker a partnership between the UMF Athletics Department and University Credit Union. Meetings between the two groups began in fall 2008, and the agreement was announced in January.

In August 2007, UCU opened a branch adjacent to UMF on High Street in Farmington. Since opening, they have contributed much support to UMF, such as recently sponsoring the installation of a flat screen TV in the Fitness and Recreation center.

“We really appreciate the way UCU reached out to help us maximize their support,” says Davis. “They not only committed the support up front, but also in a way that helps us attach values to areas of visibility and sets the stage for similar partnerships/advertising opportunities with other businesses.”

The three-year, $12,000 commitment from UCU has already helped lead to the purchase of a padded scorers’ table for basketball and volleyball, and will support replacing the soccer scoreboard at Prescott Field.



(Scorebook keeper Linda Blodgett, scoreboard operator Eileen Reading and shot clock operator Ashley Tetreault '10 use the new padded scorers tabled for basketball and women's volleyball in Dearborn Gymnasium.)

The visibility of UCU’s partnership with UMF will include advertising on the aforementioned items and signage at the softball field at Prescott Field, as well as a presence on programs and the Web site. In a separate agreement, Davis brokered an agreement with UCU to underwrite race bibs for the USCSA Reynolds Division ski league.

Other sponsorship opportunities with the UMF athletics department include, but are not limited to, Web site, venue and scoreboard signage. There are plans to allow sponsored signage on the outfield fence at the Prescott softball field, which is used throughout the summer by community leagues. The income can help support a permanent scoreboard for that field, as well as other investments in field maintenance.

Additionally, the UMF athletics department seeks two sponsors for a matching padded table for the statistical crew and media at events in Dearborn Gymnasium.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, visit athletics.umf.maine.edu.