Search for Corporate ISU Band Sponsor
Submitted by Dennis Goering

Ladies and Gentlemen, now taking the field - the Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band, proudly sponsored by _________. Yes, it's true, the marching band is looking for a corporate sponsor to help off set the ever rising cost associated with the marching band and other bands at Iowa State.

According to the ISU Foundation, "A corporate sponsor is a win win deal for the band as well as a great deal for the corporation that chooses to sponsor this highly visible group."

ISU bands perform at 70 plus events annually for well over 650,000 people. This makes the bands at Iowa State one of the most highly visible groups on campus and "clearly a unique opportunity for the sponsor who wants great visibility," Mark Pankey said.

A recent survey concluded that Iowa State's Marching Band has the smallest operating budget of all the Big 12 bands. The next lowest budget is 30% higher than Iowa State's. In addition to the smallest budget, it also operates with the smallest number of staff, while continuing to field one of the largest marching bands in the Big 12 Conference.

All these facts have made it necessary for the ISU Bands to go in search of funds. These funds are needed to repair and replace instruments, purchase and clean uniforms, and just to keep up with the growing cost of maintaining the band program.

Director of Bands, Joe Christensen, recalls that corporate sponsorships for marching bands are nothing new. When he was a member of the marching band at Michigan, Buick used to sponsor their annual road trip by train, as well as assist with other functions of the Marching Wolverines.

Right now, we need your help in locating a corporate sponsor. A sponsorship commitment of $50,000 annually is requested to be the exclusive corporate sponsor of the ISU Marching Band. Many options exist from multi-year commitments to multi-company sponsorships.

The corporation will receive many benefits and recognition, including but not limited to:

• 4 Football Season Tickets
• 2 Men's and Women's Basketball Season Tickets
• End Zone Party/Tailgate Party
• Use of the ISU Foundation's tent to host one party
• Use of facilities in Scheman to host one pregame reception during basketball season
• Corporation's name spelled out on the field by the band for the designated game
• Receive 100 football tickets to the designated game
• Corporation's name on the cover of the football program or basketball program for the designated game
• Recognition Ceremony during halftime at a designated basketball game
• Receive 25 tickets to the designated basketball game
• A Banner with the company logo will be hung in front of the band at every home football and basketball game.
• Corporation's logo will be prominently displayed on the electric piano in Hilton during basketball games
• Full page advertisements in both the football and basketball programs
• Two public address announcements during each home football game and basketball game
• One scoreboard message per half at each home football game and at each home basketball game
• 25 reserved seats to all band sponsored concerts
• Corporation's logo displayed on the program of all band sponsored concerts
• Plus many other perks

If your company is interested in sponsoring the bands at ISU or you are aware of a corporation that might be, please contact the ISU Foundation at 515-294-8464 or Joe Christensen at the Music Department at 515-294-2080. With the help of a corporate sponsor we can continue to make the Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band the best band in the land and for sure the best band in the Big 12.

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Updated: December 17, 2000 -- Comments? Visit our Webmaster

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