CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – University of Northern Iowa Athletics and its multimedia rightsholder, Panther Sports Properties, announced today an extended relationship with First Bank and its new community initiative that will coincide with spring football.
Formerly known as First National Bank, First Bank continues its longtime commitment to support the Panthers’ hundreds of student-athletes and Athletics programming. The renewed, multi-year agreement is under way this season, even with fall sports on pause. As part of its rebrand, First Bank is launching “Community First Campaign” – a new community impact program that will involve Panther football. When games resume Spring 2021, First Bank will donate $10 for every first down throughout the team’s spring season. The amount generated will benefit the Cedar Valley United Way and Wavery-Shell Rock United Way.
“We are excited to share the news of our transition to First Bank with our fellow Panther supporters. While our name has changed from First National Bank to First Bank, nothing else has changed,” said First Bank Senior Vice President Dan Lynch, who received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNI. “We’re the same us – just with a new name. Stop by any of our office locations, and you’ll see the same friendly, dedicated staff offering the same great products and services to fit your financial needs.”
“First National Bank has changed its name to First Bank, but their commitment to our community, including Panther Athletics, remains the same,” said UNI Director of Athletics David Harris. “We are grateful for our partnership that extends 15 years and look forward to working with First Bank and their dedicated team for years to come. We look forward to Panther football in the spring and are excited to be a part of the Community First Campaign.”
Lynch added, “We’re proud of our ties to the Cedar Valley and our continued support of Panther Athletics, and we are thrilled to be a part of the Community First Campaign for spring UNI football.”
The relationship between UNI Athletics and First Bank is overseen by Panther Sports Properties – the local Learfield IMG College team which works with local, regional and national brands looking to align with the Panthers.
First Bank is a locally owned, community bank, based out of Waverly, Iowa. Providing quality financial products and services since 1864, First Bank has seven locations in North Central Iowa with $602 million in assets.
Learfield IMG College unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform. The company’s extensive content and commerce solutions create unique opportunities for fan engagement. The Learfield IMG College suite of services includes licensing and multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, broadcasting, digital and social media; ticketing, ticket sales and professional concessions expertise; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue technology systems. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, the company has long had the privilege of being an advocate for intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete experience. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.