Community-driven brand to become North Dakota Athletics’ first official grocery store
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota Athletics Department and its multimedia rights holder, UND Sports Properties, announced a brand-new relationship with Hornbacher’s through the 2020-21 collegiate academic year.
Beginning this fall, Hornbacher’s will align with the Fighting Hawks primarily during football, hockey and basketball seasons, as well as assume the exclusive designation of “Official Grocer” and “Official Fueling Station Provider” of North Dakota Athletics. Additionally, as part of its comprehensive corporate agreement, Hornbacher’s will receive significant visibility via North Dakota Athletics’ print, radio, and digital platforms throughout the year.
“University of North Dakota Athletics is a vital part of the Grand Forks community and as a newer member of the area, we value being attached to the game in town and look forward to connecting with Fighting Hawks fans in and out of our stores,” said Matt Leiseth, president of Hornbacher’s.
“We’re grateful that Hornbacher’s has joined us as the official grocer of North Dakota Athletics. We’re looking forward to working with Hornbacher’s as a new corporate partner for North Dakota Athletics,” said North Dakota Associate Athletics Director Kyle Doperalski.
The University of North Dakota Athletics Department sponsors 17 Division I sports in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, The Summit League and, starting in 2020, the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Season tickets for football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball are currently on sale now for the 2018-19 season. Fans can purchase season tickets at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office or online at FightingHawks.com/tickets.
Hornbacher’s first opened in 1951 and operates eight stores in the Grand Forks and Fargo-Moorhead communities. Hornbacher’s celebrated the grand opening of its first store in Grand Forks, N.D., in October 2015 and will open its newest store in the Gateway West development in West Fargo, ND later this year. Hornbacher’s takes pride in serving its communities through charitable, educational, and nonprofit events.
In addition to North Dakota, Learfield manages the multimedia rights and sponsorship initiatives for nearly 130 collegiate properties nationwide. Learfield, an industry leader for more than four decades, has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup. The company also provides its collegiate partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; branding, licensing and trademark consulting; digital and social platform expertise; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies.