MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today a new multi-year corporate partnership with Diversified Energy, providing the Company significant brand presence with the Mountaineers, including naming rights to certain areas at Milan Puskar Stadium. Through this engagement, the Company is making a significant investment in Mountaineer sports, WVU student-athletes, and the youth of West Virginia.
Notably, Diversified Energy will serve as the “Official Energy Partner of WVU Athletics” concurrent with the 2021-22 college athletics season and throughout the term of the agreement.
Complementing its year-round exposure with the Mountaineers, and as part of a larger relationship with the University, the brand will have significant presence within several areas of Milan Puskar Stadium. Diversified Energy will have naming rights and associated signage to the “Diversified Energy Terrace,” as well as naming rights and marquee branding to the north, northwest and northeast stadium gates.
The Company’s investment also encompasses support of WVU Athletics through the Mountaineer Athletic Club. This support includes the current Climbing Higher campaign as well as scholarship initiatives, internships and mentoring specifically designed for minority and female student-athletes as part of Diversified Energy’s broader initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“While we appreciate the heightened visibility and awareness this partnership will bring to our company’s engagement in the State of West Virginia and its surrounding regional markets, we are most excited to provide educational opportunities to WVU students,” said Rusty Hutson, Jr., native of Lumberport, WV and co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Diversified Energy. “This engagement also will allow us to positively impact youth across the region who attend sports camps conducted by the coaching staff of various WVU athletic teams.”
“I want to welcome Diversified Energy as the official energy partner of WVU Athletics,” WVU Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said. “Diversified Energy will be involved with our department in many ways to not only help us compete on the field but in the classroom. I am excited for the possibilities this brings for our student-athletes, and we are looking forward to this unique partnership.”
The comprehensive athletics sponsorship between WVU Athletics and Diversified Energy was secured by Mountaineer Sports Properties, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and locally based Learfield IMG College team.
“We’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to work with the team at Diversified Energy. We’re excited to have them as part of the Mountaineer family of corporate partners, especially now that we’re planning for fuller stadiums and more quality fan engagement in the fall,” said Mountaineer Sports Properties’ General Manager Evan Hawkins. “Support from local, regional and national businesses wanting to specifically align their brand with the Mountaineer brand is incredibly appreciated, and extremely valuable.”
About Diversified Energy Company PLC
Diversified Energy Company PLC is an independent energy company engaged in the production, marketing and transportation of primarily natural gas related to its synergistic US onshore upstream and midstream assets.
About WVU Athletics
The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at West Virginia University sponsors 18 varsity sports with more than 500 student-athletes competing in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s cross country, football, men’s golf, women’s gymnastics, women’s indoor and outdoor track, rifle, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, women’s tennis, women’s volleyball, women’s rowing and wrestling.