Bloomington, Ind. (Aug. 18, 2009) – Indiana University Athletics announced today that they have entered into a multi-year relationship with Smithville Telephone Company, Inc. to be the new telecommunications partner of IU Athletics. The first-of-its-kind agreement with the state’s largest independent telecommunications broadband provider kicks off with Hoosier Football this fall but ultimately will impact numerous sports across the board.
The Smithville-IU Athletics partnership was secured by Indiana University Sports Properties, a property of Learfield Sports and the multimedia rights holder for IU Athletics.
Smithville will receive signage at all venues, as well as have a presence on all statewide radio stations and visibility on the Hoosiers’ official athletic Web site. Additionally, the company will be involved with game sponsorship and other partnership activities.
“We are proud to have Smithville as the athletic department’s telecommunications partner,” said Indiana University’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass. “They are an innovative, locally owned company that supports IU athletics in every way possible. We are thrilled that they have become a part of the IU family.”
“As a state of Indiana corporation, we are thrilled to be the exclusive communications sponsor for IU Sports Properties,” said Darby A. McCarty, President and CEO, Smithville Telephone Company, Inc. “We look forward to an exciting year working with IU athletics and Learfield Sports.”
In addition to Indiana, Learfield Sports manages the multimedia rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations. It also represents the Big Ten Conference, and other Big Ten member schools Iowa, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.
Additionally, the Dallas-based company titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, oversees marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA) and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations nationwide. Learfield Sports is an operating unit of Jefferson City, Mo.-based Learfield Communications, Inc., which made its initial foray into the world of sports marketing in 1975. For additional information on the company and its collegiate portfolio, visit learfieldsports.com.
Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009