Gamecocks and Founders Federal Credit Union Extend Naming Rights Agreement for Baseball Stadium
COLUMBIA — Founders Federal Credit Union and the University of South Carolina today announce a multi-year naming rights extension agreement that will continue to name Gamecock baseball’s nationally ranked stadium Founders Park, school officials announced Friday.
The extension was approved earlier today by the USC Board of Trustees.
The agreement continues the “Founders Park” name on USC’s baseball stadium through October 2035. Founders Federal Credit Union will also receive additional partnership benefits in collaboration with multimedia rightsholder Learfield’s Gamecock Sports Properties, including prominent branding inside the stadium and a comprehensive mix of marketing and sponsorship assets with the Gamecocks athletic program.
“Founders Federal Credit Union is a tremendous partner of Gamecock Athletics,” said USC athletics director Ray Tanner. “Founders’ commitment to excellence mirrors our mission. This partnership has been beneficial for both of us, and I know the relationship will continue to be a win-win for Founders and our athletics program in the future.”
South Carolina’s baseball stadium became Founders Park prior to the 2016 season. The sponsorship receives the exposure of having all home games broadcast live on a video linear and digital platform and on the Gamecock Sports Network that allows fans around the world to keep up with Gamecock baseball at Founders Park. Carolina baseball also ranks annually in the Top 10 in average game attendance.
“Upon my becoming the baseball coach at the University of South Carolina this past summer, I quickly realized the amazing relationship between Gamecock Baseball and Founders Federal Credit Union,” said Gamecock baseball coach Paul Mainieri. “We are so proud of being associated with this outstanding enterprise and the people that make up Founders Federal Credit Union. We (Gamecock Baseball and Founders) both share the same goal…to be the best in our respective businesses. We will always play the game with passion and pride to represent the beautiful ballpark known as Founders Park.”
Founders Park is only one of 11 current on-campus primary-college baseball use stadiums in Division I baseball with a corporate naming rights agreement with Kentucky Proud Park (Kentucky), UFCU Disch-Falk Field (Texas), Blue Bell Park (Texas A&M) from the Southeastern Conference, as well as FedEx Field (Memphis), Washington Trust Field (Gonzaga), Hanover Insurance Park (Holy Cross), Newman Outdoor Field (North Dakota State), English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Center (Virginia Tech), Santa Ana Star Field (New Mexico) and UCCU Ballpark (Utah Valley) being the others.
“At Founders, we are committed to investing in our communities,” said Founders President and CEO Bruce Brumfield. “Our partnership with Gamecock Athletics as the naming partner of Founders Park is mutually beneficial for us to align ourselves with the excellence of Carolina Baseball as we further extend our brand among Gamecock Nation.”
Founders will also be recognized as “The Official Credit Union of Gamecock Athletics.” The credit union also has a presence on campus, including an office in the Russell House University Union.
