MINNEAPOLIS – Gopher Athletics kicked off a brand-new partnership Friday with local fishing boat manufacturer Alumacraft, complemented by a first-of-its-kind sweepstakes that will give one lucky Gopher fan an exceptional prize package.

Alumacraft’s new partnership with the University of Minnesota is comprehensive, while one element will draw the attention of many Gopher fans – an opportunity to win a brand-new Alumacraft fishing boat equipped with trailer, motor, trolling motor and electronics. Fans can enter to win the boat via the online registration beginning Friday, Oct. 20. In addition to a new boat to fish any of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, the winning Gopher fan will be offered a choice of two free football or men’s hockey season tickets for the 2018-19 season, as well as a season parking pass for the chosen sport.

A winner will be randomly selected from all online entries received between Oct. 20, 2017 and Feb. 24, 2018. Fans can enter to win and review all contest rules by visiting www.gophersports.com/alumacraft.

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the University of Minnesota Athletics and look forward to delivering a new Alumacraft to one lucky Gopher fan,” said Alumacraft Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bruce Baron.

As a new corporate partner with Gopher Athletics, Alumacraft will receive increased visibility at football and men’s hockey games with in-venue signage, gameday displays, social media and digital promotion, and inclusion on coach’s shows and game broadcasts on the statewide Gopher Radio Network. Learfield’s Gopher Sports Properties, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder, secured the partnership and will oversee the relationship components.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to work with this Minnesota-based company and know that loyal Gopher fans would love to be the recipient of the incredible sweeps they’re doing with us,” said Gopher Sports Properties’ Vice President and General Manager Greg Gerlach. “We’re pleased to introduce Alumacraft into the world of collegiate sports marketing and they’ll see for themselves the strength of the Gopher brand and the Gophers’ passionate following. We welcome them to the corporate partner family and appreciate their commitment to Athletics.”

Alumacraft employs more than 200 workers to design, build and market 75 models of aluminum boats. The 71-year-old company is one of the largest, privately owned boat manufacturers in the country and operates two manufacturing plants located in St. Peter, Minn., and Arkadelphia, Ark.

An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide. In addition to Minnesota, it manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for nearly 130 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas, and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup. Learfield also provides its collegiate partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; licensing and trademark consulting; digital and social platform expertise; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies.