CSU Athletics Department, Nelligan Sports Marketing, Inc.,
Announce Marketing Partnership Agreement

Fort Collins, CO- Colorado State University Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway today announced a marketing partnership agreement between the Rams’ program and Nelligan Sports Marketing, Inc., that will enhance the regional and national profile of the school’s intercollegiate sports program and provide opportunities for additional corporate sponsorship revenue. "Nelligan Sports Marketing is recognized throughout the industry as one of the leaders in the sports marketing field," said Hathaway. "We had a number of nationally-prestigious firms respond to our request for a marketing partnership. It was a thorough year-long procurement process involving a cross-section of individuals from the athletic department and across campus. We believe that this partnership between Colorado State University and Nelligan Sports Marketing will be extremely productive and beneficial." Colorado State joins a list of prominent programs nationally that have initiated partnerships with national firms in order to build opportunities for revenue and attract more clients. Nelligan Sports Marketing will play a lead role in helping Colorado State reach regional and national advertisers, thus expanding the school’s marketing revenue stream. The firm will be responsible for coordinating the CSU radio network, coaches television shows, stadium and arena signage, game programs, and other athletic promotional opportunities. "It became very clear during this process that having all of our marketing assets with one company would be the most efficient way to reach more potential clients," said Hathaway. "CSU will work side-by-side with Nelligan Sports Marketing to promote our athletics program to local, regional and national clients. We’re confident this increased exposure will help position CSU Athletics to expand corporate support for the entire program." "We are very excited and proud to be working with Colorado State University," said Tim Hofferth President and COO of Nelligan Sports Marketing. "Colorado State’s rise to national prominence is a tribute to the leadership and the vision of the University and the Athletic Department. With one of the most successful football coaches in the nation, in Sonny Lubick, the planned expansion of the stadium, the resurgence of the men’s basketball program and the great history of success in women’s basketball and volleyball, the excitement behind the Rams is at an all-time high. We look forward to working with the University to build a multifaceted platform for Colorado State to deliver its message and extend the reach of the institution and its athletic program on a local, regional and national basis." Nelligan Sports Marketing representatives are expected to arrive in Fort Collins immediately. The first agenda item facing the new partnership is finalizing the school’s network radio contract covering football, and men’s and women’s basketball play-by-play coverage and weekly coaches’ shows. "We’ve had tremendous interest locally in the radio network," said Hathaway. "We felt it was a critical element to include the radio network as part of the marketing partnership. With the partnership now in place, we’ve turned our focus toward the network. It is our goal to have a statewide radio network in place that will provide our alumni, fans and donors with more expanded coverage of Ram Athletics." Nelligan Sports Marketing, based in Little Falls, New Jersey, represents a number of elite college properties including the University of Louisville, Georgetown University, Ball State University and Rutgers University, as well as the Colonial Athletic Association and its 10 member schools. Its portfolio of sports properties also contains several special events, including the Ford Championship at Doral, one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour.