 "Photo: Clara Ganey | The Spectator")
A basketball season that soared beyond expectations on the court has brought corporate attention to an emerging athletic program. After a solid first year finishing 17-14, the Seattle University men's basketball team and Seattle U Athletics are gaining support around the greater Seattle area.
The switch from Division II play at the Connolly Center to Division I at KeyArena has boosted community awareness of the program. The men's home games are helping to revive business in lower Queen Anne and the Seattle Center. Since the departure of the Sonics, the lower Queen Anne area and the Seattle Center have missed the presence of nearly 8,000 fans per game night.
"When the Sonics left there was a hole," said Bill Hogan, director of Athletics.
Seattle U's move to KeyArena looks promising in patching up that hole. The success of the basketball program and the revival of the business community are largely attributed to the corporate sponsors Seattle U Athletics has acquired. Local companies such as BECU and Seattle Children's Hospital are premier sponsors.
Local bars and restaurants like T.S. McHugh's, Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub and Paddy Coyne's Irish Pubs are contributing to the basketball program to help bring fans back. But according to Hogan, these Seattle-area sponsors are contributing to something greater than just business; they are contributing to their community.
"By going back [to KeyArena] we are establishing a really good community around there," he said.
T.S. McHugh's has become the pre- and post-game spot for Seattle U basketball games. The business offers discounted food and free beer to students and fans. T.S. McHugh's also features an exclusive Redhawk Red Ale, a Seattle U-themed beer brewed by Mendocino Brewing Company.
Trade-out deals with USTravel provide Seattle U Athletics with airfare and accommodation. In return for on-court ticket sales promotions, The U.S. Senior Open, a major professional golf tournament which will be hosted at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish will provide Seattle U with a hospitality tent this summer to entertain prospective sponsors. These trade-out deals are easing the burden on Athletic's budget. The sponsors are also making an impact on campus, according to Athletics.
"Sponsorships allow us resources to promote student involvement in Athletics," said Josh Cooprider, assistant athletic director for Marketing and External Affairs.
Students are benefiting from these sponsorships as well with discounts at businesses like the Experience Music Project, Dick's and Brown Bear Carwash.
Seattle U is working with Microsoft to be the headlining sponsor of Athletics. The deal with Microsoft is estimated to be three times more than a contract with any current sponsor.
"Microsoft as a sponsor will allow for Athletics to become interactive, whether it's at the game or on campus," Cooprider said.
Microsoft's sponsorship would give Athletics a technological advantage with such products as Xbox and touch-screen surface technology around campus and at KeyArena.
Seattle U is also working on acquiring television and media sponsors to increase visibility around the community.
Adam may be reached at johns113@seattleu.edu
is a member of the 
2 comments
And I have to ask...Did Charles Garcia get an athletic scholarship to play ball? If so, his decision to go pro instead of finishing his degree (one year to finish, might I add) means that yet another scholarship was given to facilitate using college as a professional sports training camp and scouting pond. While it may be in Garcia's plans to contribute generously to SU, there is NO guarantee of return on the investment that could have been awarded to someone who actually FINISHES their degree, instead of walking away in search of greener pastures (i.e. professional sports). That IS sucking money from the school (especially at $30,000+ per year).