Use The Foul Pole to Hook University Partners...

Has your organization considered bringing on a local University as a corporate partner? Are you looking for new ways to drive awareness for your University in-venue?

The Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League recently brought Millersville University on as a sponsor of the team's two (2) foul poles. The branding piece has turned out to be an excellent way for Millersville University to promote their commitment to the local community.

However, teams (and Universities alike) can take this branding piece to the next level by utilizing it as a means to engage fans. Before each home baseball game, teams (and Universities alike) can select one (1) fan as the fan of the game (e.g. Millersville University Fan of the Game - preferably someone who is wearing a shirt to the game that promotes the University).

The team can feature the select fan on the video board prior to the game, and if the home team hits a home run off either of the branded foul poles, the select fan can win free tuition (or books, cafeteria card, parking, team merchandise, season tickets for a year, VIP experience, AD for a Day, etc.) for a semester or a year. This simple promotional tactic is an offer that will easily resonate with your fanbase and will enable University partners to have a greater impact in-venue.  

Millersville University's partnership with the Barnstormers has proven to be an effective way to connect with residents in the local community. In 2006, Millersville conducted a food drive to benefit the Water Street Rescue Mission and the University leveraged the Barnstormers mascot in their annual Homecoming Parade.