NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University and CEFCU have come to terms on a naming rights and sponsorship agreement valued at approximately $3.1 million over 10 years. The agreement, which will support the funding for ongoing and ever-evolving costs associated with the student-athlete experience, was initiated by LEARFIELD’s Redbird Sports Properties, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder.

“Everything we plan here in the Athletics Department at Illinois State is done through the lens of how it would affect the success of our student-athletes, and this agreement is further proof of that mindset,” ISU Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said. “CEFCU has been a long-time supporter of this department and University and this commitment only furthers that relationship for the next decade and hopefully beyond. CEFCU Arena – Home of the Redbirds will continue to be one of the finest facilities in the Midwest and the continued resources provided by this agreement will ensure our student-athletes have a transformative experience while they are training and competing.”

The former Redbird Arena will be known as CEFCU Arena – Home of the Redbirds, with the University’s Board of Trustees approving the arena name change at its October 14 meeting.

“Illinois State University has had a long-standing partnership with CEFCU and the new naming rights and sponsorship agreement takes that partnership to a new level,” Illinois State University President Terri Goss Kinzy said. “The support from CEFCU plays a vital role in enhancing the Redbird experience for our student-athletes, our Athletics staff, our alumni, and our fans.”

The CEFCU Arena naming rights and sponsorship agreement will continue to support funding of the Redbird Student-Athlete experience. Particularly in these ever-evolving times, funding is vital to maintaining and expanding upon the current NCAA, Division I student-athlete experience.

“CEFCU has supported Illinois State University for many years.  Since community involvement is extremely important to CEFCU, this new opportunity allows us to continue to support Illinois State University and look to membership growth through an even stronger partnership while furthering our commitment to Central Illinois and current CEFCU members.  We are proud that CEFCU can be aligned with the University; one dedicated to excellence in academics and athletics – providing the foundation for a well-rounded student prepared for future success,” CEFCU President/CEO, Matt Mamer, said.

About CEFCU
With assets totaling nearly $8 billion, CEFCU serves over 377,000 members through 26 Illinois Member Centers and 6 California Member Centers, the CEFCU Financial Center, the Money Center 24 ATM Network, CEFCU’s website, cefcu.com, CEFCU On-Line and Mobile Banking, the surcharge-free CO-OP ATM Network, and the CO-OP Shared Branch Network.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.