July 8, 2015 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Colonial Life and the University of South Carolina have agreed to extend the Colonial Life Arena naming rights sponsorship for another 10 years. The renewed agreement, which runs Oct. 1, 2015 through Sept. 30, 2025, was announced at a news conference at noon today at the Arena.
The $6.5 million agreement includes exterior and interior signage at the Colonial Life Arena as well as promotional packages with the Gamecock athletics program.
“The sponsorship represents a major ongoing commitment to this community,” said Tim Arnold, Colonial Life’s president and CEO. “We have a long history of business, civic and charitable support in the Midlands and across the state, with a special focus on educational institutions and programs. Continuing this agreement is one step in demonstrating that commitment.”
The company became the University’s first corporate naming rights sponsor in October 2003. Other partnerships with the University have included the Colonial Life Fellowship Fund with the Arnold School of Public Health, the Darla Moore School of Business capital campaign fund, placement of a major sculpture at the Moore School, the Colonial Life Scholars program, student internships and career opportunities for many graduates, and sponsorships of numerous other programs from science fairs to ballet performances.
“Like the athletes and musicians who perform in this beautiful arena, USC’s productive relationship with Colonial Life continues to be a talent-packed collaboration based on vision and trust,” said Harris Pastides, USC President. “I would even say that Colonial Life and USC’s combined commitment to education, business and art is a driving force in South Carolina’s ongoing progress.”
The $65 million Colonial Life Arena is the largest building ever constructed at USC, with more than 330,000 square feet. It’s the 10th largest on-campus basketball arena in the country and has hosted an estimated 1,500 events with 6.6 million people in attendance. In addition to serving as the home of Gamecock men’s and women’s basketball, the Colonial Life Arena also has developed into one of the Southeast’s premier entertainment venues. It was the nation’s third-highest grossing university arena last year, based on concert and event sales.
“The commitment made by Colonial Life as our naming rights sponsor reinforces the value and prominence of the Colonial Life Arena as an athletic and entertainment venue,” said Ray Tanner, USC director of athletics. “This partnership will help ensure we can continue to bring the highest quality events to visitors.”
About Colonial Life
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company is a market leader in providing financial protection benefits through the workplace, including disability, life, accident, dental, cancer, critical illness and hospital confinement indemnity insurance. The company’s benefit services and education, innovative enrollment technology and personal service support more than 80,000 businesses and organizations, representing more than 3 million of America’s workers and their families. For more information visit www.coloniallife.com or connect with the company at www.facebook.com/coloniallifebenefits, www.twitter.com/coloniallife and www.linkedin.com/company/colonial-life.
About the University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina (USC) was established in 1801 and is a full-service, state-supported research university that includes the 358-acre Columbia campus and seven regional campuses with a total full-time student body population of more than 46,000 and 2,100 full-time faculty members. Located in the capital city of Columbia in the geographic center of the state, USC’s main campus is part of a thriving metropolitan community of more than 450,000 inhabitants. USC offers a broad spectrum of educational opportunities with 14 colleges and schools that encompass 324 undergraduate and graduate degree-granting programs. USC confers 40% of all bachelors, professional, and graduate degrees awarded in public institutions in South Carolina. For more information, visit www.sc.edu or connect with USC at www.facebook.com/UofSC or www.twitter.com/UofSC.
