Johnston, Iowa – April 12, 2011 ñ 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 both the Iowa State University and University of Iowa Athletic Departments. |Johnston, Iowa – April 12, 2011 ñ 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 both the Iowa State University and University of Iowa Athletic Departments. The partnership is highlighted by the title sponsorship of the Cy-Hawk Series, the annual competition between the Cyclone and Hawkeye Athletic Departments. The newly titled, “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 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” 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 state’s economy through a multi-media platform of radio, television, signage, print and digital media. Past promotional giveaways have included an ethanol powered, flex-fuel Chevy 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, CEO 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 from 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 head coaches from both Iowa State and Iowa Athletic Departments. Other new features of the partnership will be announced as the annual Iowa State vs. Iowa football game gets closer. This year’s game is set for Saturday, September 10 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
“We are excited that Iowa Corn has teamed up with Iowa State and Iowa to promote the Cyclone-Hawkeye rivalry” said Jamie Pollard, Iowa State University Director of Athletics. 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 their decision to promote all of the Iowa State-Iowa matchups. 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”.
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.
“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 few 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.”
Stay tuned for more information on this exciting new partnership, including giveaways and special events at www.iowacorn.org.|
