ETSU’s official student section is being sponsored this year by the College of Business and Technology. Dean Tony Pittarese said the sponsorship makes sense because the college has a large number of student-athletes and offers several sports-related programs, including sports and recreation management and sports media.
This academic year, the college will sponsor the student section for both football and men’s basketball. Pittarese said the impact of the sponsorship will become clearer as more home games take place this season.
“We’re really excited about it and hope that it’s something that we will be able to continue into future seasons,” Pittarese said.
Sponsoring athletic events has been a strategic way for ETSU colleges and departments to expand their visibility across campus and the community in recent years.
“It’s a great way to get the name of our college out in front of students and out in front of the public at large,” he said. “It’s a form of advertising for the college, just like it is for any business that participates in athletics advertising or otherwise.”
Pittarese said what makes this sponsorship special is the opportunity to invest not just in promoting the college but also in supporting the university, ETSU athletics and students. He hopes to involve College of Business and Technology (CBAT) alumni, including former athletes and cheerleaders, to create what he called “full circle” moments.
Many of the businesses that sponsor events at football games already have partnerships with CBAT, and Pittarese said the college wants to continue being active and engaged with the campus and the external business community.
“We want people who attend the games, whether they are current or potential students, to know that there are lots of athletics-related opportunities in this college,” he said. “We would love to have conversations with them about a way that we can help them reach some of their future career goals.”
The next home football game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27. Learn more at etsu.edu/cbat/cbat_bluecrew.php.
