Northwestern University Athletics
2007 Northwestern Sponsor Summit a Success
8/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 30, 2007
For the ninth consecutive year, Wildcat Sports Marketing and Northwestern Athletics entertained its corporate sponsors at its athletic venues and provided the opportunity to network amongst each other as well as meet with selected Wildcat head coaches.
On August 23, corporate partners from Athletico, Goose Island, Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Orrington, LaSalle Bank, Pioneer Press, Sign One, UPS, U.S. Cellular, Pepsi and WGN were greeted in Northwestern's football stadium club by Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald. Coach Fitz discussed the elements that make up our Wildcat Nation, elements that would not be possible without the dedication and support of our corporate sponsors.
The morning then transitioned into a presentation from A.J. Maestas, President of Navigate Marketing, on each sponsors' return on investment which was then followed by motivational accounts from Northwestern Head Softball Coach Kate Drohan. Drohan has taken a unique approach to her team, incorporating several concepts from Seth Godin's Purple Cow. Each sponsor was provided a copy of this book while they listened to how successful the concept of a Purple Cow has been for the Northwestern softball team.
After these discussion sessions, it was time for the NU faithful to participate in some of the game-day promotions that their companies sponsor. Each attendee had the chance to play against Northwestern Head Men's Soccer Coach Tim Lenahan, Head Field Hockey Coach Kelly McCollum, Head Volleyball Coach Keylor Chan and Assistant Men's Golf Coach Steve Bailey. The contests included LaSalle Bank Shots and U.S. Cellular musical chairs, both basketball halftime events and Chipotle Challenge which consists of a game of bean bags that fans play against select NU coaches at each home football game.
The afternoon wrapped up with lunch and a raffle session where several sponsors walked away with some very nice gifts.
Northwestern Athletics and Wildcat Sports Marketing are greatly appreciative of all of the support each corporate sponsor supplies and is eagerly waiting to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sponsor Summit next August.
