Table of Contents University Highlights
Page 4
Market Demographics
Page 6
Economic Impact
Page 11
Bearkat Basics
Page 13
Tradition of Excellence
Page 16
Classroom Leadership
Page 18
Stadium Signage
Page 21
Media Advertising
Page 47
Print Advertising
Page 56
Gameday Elements
Page 67
Official Provider
Page 75
Our Team
Page 77
UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS
About Sam Houston State University Founded in 1879; named after Texas’ greatest hero, General Sam Houston Enrollment of approximately 18,124 (Spring 2013), expected growth to 20,000 by year 2015 A 272-acre main campus that features more than $250 million in new and renovated facilities Located 70 miles north of Houston and 180 miles south of Dallas on Interstate 45 Approximately 1,700 faculty & staff Approximately 6,800 students are residents of Walker County
U.S. News & World Report: “Growing Fast, Staying Friendly”
SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY HAS A DOMINANT PRESENCE IN EAST TEXAS!
Market Demographics Located just one hour north of Houston metropolitan area, population 6.18 million and the 8th fastest-growing city in the United States (Forbes) Huntsville is located in Walker County, population approximately 68,087 with an area population of more than 650,000 including the adjacent counties (2011 US Census) Huntsville serves as the headquarters of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which has approximately 6,000 employees Huntsville School District is one of the largest school districts in the state, serving over 6,000 students
Market Demographics, cont’d‌ Houstonians eat out more than residents of any other city. Houston has among the youngest populations in the nation. Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, with a local economic impact of ~$10 billion. More than 52,000 employees and 4.8 million patients visit each year.
Houston ranks 2nd in employment growth rate and 4th in nominal employment growth in the U.S. In 2012, the Houston area ranked 5th in Texas within the category of "Best Places for Business and Careers" by Forbes magazine. Houston emerged from the recession faster than any other major city. It was the fastest growing economy in the U.S. last year at 8.6%.
Houston is home to and more than 5,000 energy related firms and is considered by many as the Energy Capital of the world
Sam Houston State University Student Body 18,461 - Current Enrollment at Sam Houston State University 25% are from Walker County and contiguous counties (Montgomery, Brazos, Grimes, Houston, Leon, Madison, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity) 33% are from Harris County 76% are from East Texas
The Woodlands Campus: enrollment approaching 2,000 expected to surge with completion of new $41 million, 4-story building in 2012 Sam Houston State University President, Dr. Dana Gibson, sees “tremendous opportunities for enrollment and revenue growth in The Woodlands�
Note: these figures are approximate as records are constantly changing. Data represented above from April 2013 University survey.
Sam Houston State University Alumni 78,689 - East Texas 28,021 - Walker and contiguous counties 26,027 - Greater Houston Area 24,819 – The Woodlands/Conroe/Spring 11,290 – Huntsville/Walker County 5,035 - Bryan/College Station
Note: these figures are approximate as records are constantly changing. Data represented above from April 2013 University survey.
Economic Impact During FY2010, direct spending by the university, its employees, students and visitors, as well as indirect spending by recipients of the original expenditures, accounted for $149.4 million to the City of Huntsville, Walker County, and Montgomery County. The university supported an estimated 3,798 jobs directly and indirectly, and total personal income generated in Walker and Montgomery Counties was $124.7 million. SHSU is the second largest employer in Huntsville accounting for 1/6 of all local jobs.
Economic Impact More than 1,700 Huntsville homes are owned by SHSU people. The people of SHSU pay approximately $2.6 million in property taxes each year. SHSU’s operational activity adds more than $63 million per year to the local bank credit base. Approximately 27% of the children attending Huntsville Independent School District (HISD) schools have some connection to SHSU. Consequently, $6.6 million of the money received by HISD from the state is related to the presence of SHSU.
Contributions by students, faculty and staff to local churches and charities amount to ~$2.9 million annually.
BEARKAT BASICS
Bobby Williams Director of Athletics Named Director of Athletics on April 29, 1998. SHSU won the Commissioners Cup four times: 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2013. No other SLC university has won the Cup three years in a row. In May 2005, received the General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award at the All-American Football Foundation’s 70th annual Banquet of Champions. In June 2008, he was presented the AstroTurf Athletics Director of the Year “Football Championship Subdivision West Region” award. Hosted successful SLC championship events in women’s tennis, cross county, softball, baseball and outdoor track and field as well as the SLC men’s basketball tournament. Overseen more than 9 million dollars of facility improvements.
What is a Bearkat? The name came from a popular local saying of the late 1920’s, "tough as a Bearkat!" Since the animal in the saying was thought more mythical than real, the spelling settled upon was "Bearkat.“ In the late 1940s, then SHSU president Harmon Lowman attempted to change then mascot from Bearkats to "Ravens" (after General Sam Houston's Cherokee nickname), but the alumni who were polled would not let that happen. The current Sammy Bearkat mascot character began appearing at SHSU sports events in 1959.
Tradition of Excellence Teams compete at the NCAA Division I level in 17 sports A member of the Southland Conference; with 14 member institutions from Texas (7), Oklahoma (1), Arkansas (1) and Louisiana (5) Three straight Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup recognizing the department as the best overall athletic program in the conference (2005, 2006, 2007). SHSU has earned the honor again in 2013! Bearkat football and basketball games have been featured in nationally televised games on ESPN, ESPN2 and CBS. SHSU Football had multiple nationally televised games on ESPN during the 2011 and 2012 seasons Home facilities include Bowers Stadium (football), Johnson Coliseum (basketball and volleyball), Don Sanders Stadium (baseball), Bearkat Softball Complex, McAdams Tennis Center, and Pritchett Field (soccer)
Numbers Don’t Lie 8 Southland Conference tournament “Most Valuable Players” 1 NCAA Division I Football Championship Finals appearance 9 NCAA Division I Academic All-Region honorees 9 Southland Conference Tournament championships 12 Southland individual Sport “Student Athletes of the Year” 15 NCAA Division I tournament appearances 24 Southland Conference regular season championships 50 All-Americans 639 All-Southland Conference selections in 16 sports
SHSU Putting the STUDENT in Student-Athlete Greg Sprowls (FB) was awarded the Elite 89 Award at the 2012 FCS Championship Game. The award was presented to him by NCAA president, Mark Emmert, for having the highest GPA (3.75) of all participants in the championship game Over the 2005-2010 academic years, SHSU had placed more individuals on the SLC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll (student-athletes with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher) than any of the 12 universities in the league. For three straight academic years (2006-2009), SHSU studentathletes have combined to produce a department GPA of 2.90 or above, marks better than the university’s general student population. Following the Fall 2011 semester the cumulative GPA of all SHSU student-athletes was above a 3.0, the highest in school history. Sam Houston student-athletes have been named “Student-Athlete of the Year” in their sport eight times since 2007.
Official Athletics Website www.gobearkats.com Monthly Averages (2011): 70,000+ unique visitors, 100,000+ visits & 175,000+ page views These averages are all up over 30% from the 2010 averages
Website Records set during 2011 FCS Playoffs: 144,000 unique visitors (December) 289,000 visits (December) 663,000 page views (December)
Licensing the Bearkats Bearkatgear.com is the official online merchandise provider of SHSU Athletics Increased merchandise revenue six fold during the months Sept-Dec 2011 over Sept-Dec 2010 All SHSU merchandise is officially licensed by Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC)
Vendors include: Fincher Fabric Fantasies Ink Slingers Custom T-Shirts Inscriptions of the Heart, PromoWorld LLC Sew Many Stitces Sew Little Time Tought Shirts The Trophy Case Wal-Mart Walgreens Academy Sports & Outdoor (4 locations) Finish Line Under Armour Barefoot Athletics
A comprehensive list of all vendors can be found here
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: STADIUM SIGNAGE
Bowers Stadium: Scoreboard Backlit scoreboard signage for all events in Elliott T. Bowers stadium, home of Sam Houston State University football.
Bowers Stadium: Bearkat Vision Commercial spots on Elliott T. Bowers football stadium scoreboard.
Bowers Stadium: Backlit Concourse Signage Two (2) back lit signs; one to be placed on the East grand stand and one on the West grand stand. Signage visible during all home football games, SHSU track meets, and various other events throughout the calendar year.
Bowers Stadium: Grandstand Banners Two (2) field banners along the East/West Grandstand at Elliott T. Bowers stadium, home of Sam Houston State University football.
Bowers Stadium: Endzone A-Frames Two (2) end zone banners; one to be placed at the North end zone and one to be placed at the South end zone of Elliott T. Bowers stadium.
Bowers Stadium: Endzone Goal Posts Two (2) placements on the goal posts of Elliott T. Bowers stadium. Goal post pads remain up and visible during all home football games, SHSU track meets, and various other events throughout the calendar year.
Johnson Coliseum: Scoreboard One (1) back lit scoreboard signage for all events in Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. This center position provides the most dominant impact of the all scoreboard impressions.
Johnson Coliseum: Scoreboard One (1) back lit scoreboard signage for all events in Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. This is one of four positions at this size.
Johnson Coliseum: Scoreboard One (1) back lit scoreboard signage for all events in Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Johnson Coliseum: Scoreboard One (1) back lit scoreboard signage for all events in Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Johnson Coliseum: Scorer’s Table One (1) back lit signage on the basketball/volleyball scorer’s table at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Johnson Coliseum: Concourse Banner One (1) banner; to be placed on the concourse level directly behind press row and team benches.
Johnson Coliseum: Basketball Goals Two (2) placements on the baskets in Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. This serves as prime advertising exposure during home basketball games; visible on local, regional and national broadcast television including the Southland Conference League network.
Johnson Coliseum: East Tunnel One (1) banner above the east tunnel. This signage remains up and visible during home basketball games and several other special events; visible on local, regional and national broadcast television including the Southland Conference League network.
Don Sanders Stadium: Scoreboard One (1) sponsor display on the scoreboard. Sponsor display space is sold in ½ game measurements, guaranteeing a minimum of six (6) half innings per game.
Don Sanders Stadium: Bearkat Vision One (1) in-game feature during inning a predetermined inning break. Feature will include a PA announcement, full-color logo display, and collateral distribution as agreed upon by both parties.
Don Sanders Stadium: Concourse Signage Six (6) full-color banners on the concourse level of Don Sanders Stadium.
Don Sanders Stadium: Foul Pole Exclusive placement on the Don Sanders Baseball Stadium foul poles.
Don Sanders Stadium: Outfield Wall Predetermined placement on the Don Sanders Baseball Stadium outfield wall.
Don Sanders Stadium: 1st and 3rd Base Line Banners Two (2) foul line banners at Don Sanders Stadium; to be placed on the left and right field foul lines.
Don Sanders Stadium: Dugout Tops Two (2) placements, with one each on the home and visitor’s dugout tops at Don Sanders Stadium.
Bearkat Softball Complex: Scoreboard One (1) permanent advertising board attached to the scoreboard at the Bearkat Softball Complex, home to Bearkat softball games per year. The $5.5 million facility is home to the 2007 Southland Conference Tournament Champions!
Bearkat Softball Complex: Scoreboard CORPORATE PARTNER to receive one (1) permanent advertising board attached to the scoreboard at the Bearkat Softball Complex, home to Bearkat softball games per year.
Bearkat Softball Complex: Foul Pole CORPORATE PARTNER to receive exclusive placement on the Bearkat Softball Complex foul poles.
Bearkat Softball Complex: Outfield Wall CORPORATE PARTNER to receive placement on the Bearkat Softball Complex outfield wall.
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: MEDIA ADVERTISING
www.gobearkats.com: Bearkat Media Center CORPORATE PARTNER to receive website enhancement via sponsoring of Bearkat Sports Network (BSN). BSN, presented by PARTNER, is the single source for all live and on demand Bearkat video including highlights, interviews and more than 50 live events each year.
www.gobearkats.com: Scores and Schedule CORPORATE PARTNER to receive website enhancement via sponsoring of Scores & Schedules. Scores & Schedules, presented by PARTNER, is an easy to read, all in one scheduling format, that allows fans to keep track of all Sam Houston State University Athletic events home and away..
www.gobearkats.com: ‘Kat Facts CORPORATE PARTNER to receive website enhancement via sponsoring of ‘Kat Facts. ‘Kat Facts, presented by PARTNER, is a continuously running list of insightful notes, key quotes and important happenings to keep you in touch with Sam Houston State Athletics.
www.gobearkats.com: Bearkat Marketplace CORPORATE PARTNER to receive website enhancement via sponsoring of Bearkat marketplace. Bearkat marketplace, presented by PARTNER, is the place to purchase Bearkats athletic apparel, video on demand and tickets to all Sam Houston State University Athletic events..
www.gobearkats.com: Fan Poll CORPORATE PARTNER to receive website enhancement via sponsoring of fan poll. Fan Poll, presented by PARTNER, is a monthly interactive poll that will gauge the voice of the Bearkats fans on important issues of the month.
www.gobearkats.com: Website Banners CORPORATE PARTNER to receive website enhancement via one (1) uniquely sized banner rotation on the home page and sub sections of www.GoBearkats.com. www.gobearkats.com draws an estimated 75,000 unique visitors per month. www.gobearkats.com is the exclusive source for official Sam Houston State University athletics news & information, video reports, live game streaming, shopping and ticket & event purchases.
www.gobearkats.com: Countdown to Kickoff CORPORATE PARTNER to receive website enhancement via one (1) uniquely banner rotation on the home page and Football sub sections of www.GoBearkats.com that would countdown the days, hours, minutes, and seconds to kickoff for each Sam Houston State football game during the 2013 season.
www.gobearkats.com: Student-Athlete of the Week CORPORATE PARTNER to receive website enhancement via sponsoring of student-athlete of the week. Student-Athlete of the week, presented by PARTNER, is a weekly recognition that highlights the onfield and off-the-field success of one of our many student-athletes.
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: PRINT ADVERTISING
Local / Campus Distribution: Schedule Cards CORPORATE PARTNER to sponsor schedule cards for six (6) varsity sports. Football (15k), Volleyball (2.5k), Men’s Basketball (10k), Women’s Basketball (10k), Baseball (10k), and Softball (2.5k) schedule cards will be distributed on-campus, in the Huntsville area at local businesses, grassroots/youth sports, community involvement, promotional events, and University Center Campus, etc.
Local / Campus Distribution: Schedule Posters CORPORATE PARTNER to sponsor schedule posters for six (6) varsity sports. Football (5k), Volleyball (1k), Men’s Basketball (2.5k), Women’s Basketball (2.5k), Baseball (2k), and Softball (1k).
Local / Campus Distribution: Door Hangers CORPORATE PARTNER to sponsor door hangers that will include SHSU Fall and Spring athletic sports schedules. The door hangers will be distributed to all SHSU residence halls twice per year. Approximately 3,800 students live in the residence halls.
‘Kat Konnections: Front/Back Cover Program Ad CORPORATE PARTNER to receive one (1) Back Cover/Full Page Color Ad (4-3/4"x7-3/4") in Kat Konnections, the official publication of Bearkat Athletics. This playbill style program – 5 ½”x 8 ½” – is distributed to 4k fans per game (FB), 10k/season (basketball), 7k/season (VB, BB & SB) at no charge.
‘Kat Konnections: Inside Front/Back Cover Program Ad CORPORATE PARTNER to receive one (1) Inside Front OR Back Cover/Full Page Color Ad (4-3/4"x7-3/4") in Kat Konnections, the official publication of Bearkat Athletics. This playbill style program – 5 ½”x 8 ½” – is distributed to 28k (FB), 10k (basketball), and 7k (VB, BB & SB) fans per game, at no charge.
‘Kat Konnections: Full Page Program Ad CORPORATE PARTNER to receive one (1) Full Page Color Ad (43/4"x7-3/4 in Kat Konnections, the official publication of Bearkat Athletics. This playbill style program – 5 ½”x 8 ½” – is distributed to 28k (FB), 10k (basketball), and 7k (VB, BB & SB) fans per game, at no charge.
‘Kat Konnections: Half Page Program Ad CORPORATE PARTNER to receive one (1) Half Page Color Ad (43/4x3-13/16 in Kat Konnections, the official publication of Bearkat Athletics. This playbill style program – 5 ½”x 8 ½” – is distributed to 28k (FB), 10k (basketball), and 7k (VB, BB & SB) fans per game, at no charge.
‘Kat Konnections: Quarter Page Program Ad CORPORATE PARTNER to receive one (1) Quarter Page Two Color Ad (3-3/8"x5") in Kat Konnections, the official publication of Bearkat Athletics. This playbill style program – 5 ½”x 8 ½” – is distributed to 28k (FB), 10k (basketball), and 7k (VB, BB & SB) fans per game, at no charge.
Season Ticket Holders: Ticket Stock CORPORATE PARTNER to receive the opportunity to have their logo included on the front of our season ticket stock. This will be seen by all 976 (as of May 2013) season ticket holders when they receive their distribution.
Season Ticket Holders: Official Mailer CORPORATE PARTNER to receive opportunities to highlight your partnership with Bearkat Athletics and distribute special offers directly to all season ticket holders prior to the beginning of each season.
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: GAMEDAY ELEMENTS
Partner Perks: Official Game Sponsor CORPORATE PARTNER to receive exclusive association with any special event promotions, public announcements, fan giveaways, etc. PARTNER will be the dominant marketing partner for this event, included in all pre-game promotion and advertising for the event.
Partner Perks: Product Distribution CORPORATE PARTNER to receive opportunity to distribute sample productions, promotional items, or any other previously approved items to fans before/during Bearkats home events.
Partner Perks: Season Tickets CORPORATE PARTNER to receive four (4) reserved football season tickets and one (1) reserved tailgate spot at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium for the 2013 season.
Partner Perks: Group Tickets CORPORATE PARTNER to receive twenty (20) general admission tickets to a mutually agreed upon Bearkats football game at Bowers Stadium during the 2013 football season.
Partner Perks: Power Patrol CORPORATE PARTNER to be named exclusive sponsor of the “Power Patrol” during all home athletic events. The PARTNER “Power Patrol” is a dedicated team that will engage fans during all in-game promotions for BearKat Athletics.
Partner Perks: In-Game Promotions CORPORATE PARTNER to receive in-game time out promotions for the full season with the intent to promote key goods/services. PARTNER may provide a company branded items or a prize of temporary services to contest winners.
Partner Perks: Hospitality CORPORATE PARTNER to receive one hundred (100) game tickets and access to the Bearkat Champions Lounge at the Ron Mafrige Field House for a mutually agreed upon football game at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: OFFICIAL PROVIDER
Exclusivity CORPORATE PARTNER to receive recognition as the Premier Partner for Sam Houston State athletics in your market category. All athletic department purchases of agreed upon goods or use of services will be guaranteed to your organization. You will be granted permission to utilize all licensed Sam Houston State University Bearkats logos and trademarks in your marketing and promotional campaigns.
Our Team For information on how we can help your business succeed by partnering with Sam Houston State University Athletics please contact: Zach Daniel Asst. Athletic Director (936) 294-4132 zdaniel@shsu.edu
Hans C. Malebranche Partnerships Associate (936) 294-2363 hmalebranche@shsu.edu