April 12, 2011
JOHNSTON, Iowa — The Iowa Corn Growers Association and The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (Iowa Corn) are excited to announce an expanded partnership with Learfield Sports on behalf of the athletics departments at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The partnership is highlighted by title sponsorship to the Cy-Hawk Series, the annual competition between the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes.
The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series will continue to track the head-to-head match-ups in each sport with each victory earning points toward the overall series championship. The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series will also continue to recognize outstanding academic achievement by the school’s student-athletes.
This new four-year partnership is an expansion of the “Iowa Corn-Fed Game Day” program that Iowa Corn has participated in with both schools over the past two years. In addition to game-day activities and special prize giveaways, Iowa Corn will continue to promote corn ethanol as one of the more than 4,000 products made from corn as well as the importance of corn to the economy of the state of Iowa through a multi-media platform of radio, television, signage, print and digital media. Past promotional giveaways have included an ethahol-powered flex-fuel Chevrolet Silverado and a “food and fuel for a year giveaway” totaling $7,500.
“We are excited to expand our involvement with both Iowa State and Iowa by announcing our partnership with the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series,” said Craig Floss, chief executive officer for Iowa Corn. “We are involved because whether you are a Cyclone or a Hawkeye, you are from Iowa. Iowa is the top corn producing state, the top ethanol producing state, and the corn industry is critical to the economy, jobs and all Iowans. There is not another multi-media, multi-sport promotion that can top this partnership. It’s the perfect fit for Iowa Corn and our farmers across the state.”
A new Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series promotional campaign will be launched this fall including television and radio advertisements featuring Iowa corn growers and personalities from the athletics departments at both Iowa State and Iowa. Other new features of the partnership will be announced as the annual Iowa-Iowa State football game draws near. That event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10, in Ames.
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“We are very pleased to know the more than 6,500 members of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the decision-makers at the Iowa Corn Promotion Board share in our excitement and appreciation for intercollegiate athletics and this rivalry. What a terrific way to celebrate the history and tradition of our two great universities and our state’s agricultural heritage.”
Gary Barta
UI Director of Athletics |
“We are very pleased to know the more than 6,500 members of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the decision-makers at the Iowa Corn Promotion Board share in our excitement and appreciation for intercollegiate athletics and this rivalry. What a terrific way to celebrate the history and tradition of our two great universities and our state’s agricultural heritage,” said Gary Barta, director of athletics at the University of Iowa.
“We are also pleased that Iowa Corn’s experiences with our program during the past two years have been well-received and they have chosen to increase their investment with us through the Cy-Hawk Series. It’s a win for everyone involved including Iowa Corn, the Hawkeyes, Cyclones and the fans of both teams.”
The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series provides an additional platform to showcase Iowa’s corn growers and the importance of corn to the state of Iowa. Farmers in Iowa last year were responsible for more than $2.4 million bushels of corn in 2010.
“We are excited that Iowa Corn has teamed up with Iowa State and Iowa to promote the Cyclone-Hawkeye rivalry,” said Jamie Pollard, director of athletics at Iowa State. “The Cy-Hawk Series has captured the imagination of our fans and truly is a celebration of one of the great rivalries in intercollegiate athletics. We want to thank Iowa Corn for its decision to promote all of the Iowa State-Iowa match-ups. It is especially appropriate because Iowa Corn represents farmers and supports agricultural and scientific initiatives that are so much a part of our state and Iowa State University.”
To learn more about Iowa Corn, visit their official world wide web site, iowacorn.org.
About the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA)
Established in 1967, the ICGA is the oldest state corn growers association. The ICGA is a membership organization, lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its 6,500 members.
About the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB)
Established by grower referendum in 1977, the ICPB directs the investment of the Iowa corn checkoff funds to develop and defend markets, fund research and provide education about corn and corn products.
Each organization is governed by a board of corn growers, elected by their peers. Both share a common mission: Creating Opportunities For Long-Term Corn Grower Profitably.
About Learfield Sports
Manages the multi-media rights for both Iowa State and Iowa Athletics through its respective locally based properties, Cyclone Sports Properties and Hawkeye Sports Properties. Overall, the company manages the multi-media and sponsorship rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions, conferences and associations. It also titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, in conjunction with award co-founders NACDA and USA Today. Learfield Sports is an operating unit of Learfield Communications, Inc., which entered the world of sports marketing in 1975 as the radio rights holder for the University of Missouri. For additional information about the company, its history and comprehensive collegiate portfolio, visit learfieldsports.com.