Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop University Athletics and Founders Federal Credit Union (Founders FCU) announced on Jan. 31 an expanded integrated partnership with a $1.5 million investment over five years.
The agreement includes the naming rights of the ballpark to Founders Field and $500,000 earmarked for turfing the baseball field. The deal also includes rebranding, enhanced visibility at the Winthrop Coliseum with an entry plaza, logo on the court, Eagle Club Room sponsor along with prominent static signage. Founders also becomes the Title Sponsor of the Winthrop Sports Network, continues as the Title Sponsor for the pregame show and is the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame.
“Winthrop University is important to this community and to us at Founders. We have watched President Serna and Athletic Director Chuck Rey make great strides to enhance this university and its athletics department,” Founders Federal Credit Union President Keith Wilson ’94 said. “We could not be more proud of this expanded partnership as we know even greater achievements and successes are around the corner.”
Winthrop University President Edward Serna ’02 echoed those sentiments in sharing his appreciation for the notable sponsorship agreement.
“Founders and Winthrop have been pillars of this community for decades, and our elevated partnership exemplifies the shared values that bind the institutions,” he said. “Like Founders, Winthrop University prioritizes building strong, lasting relationships and fostering a culture united in excellence. We are grateful for Founders’ incredible commitment to our student-athletes through this generous investment in Winthrop Athletics.”
Part of the expanded agreement is Founders FCU becomes the official credit union of Winthrop Athletics with category exclusivity.
The agreement will provide Founders FCU with prominent outfield wall signage. Founders will continue as the Title Sponsor of the men’s basketball pregame show, have four spots during the broadcast, and have three spots on the Winthrop Sports Show. The credit union also will continue to have in-game elements for all sports.
“In an unprecedent landscape of college athletics, this transformative partnership with Founders Federal Credit Union could not come at a better time,” said Winthrop Athletic Director Chuck Rey. “Founders’ elevated commitment to Winthrop Athletics demonstrates their unwavering confidence in our mission to graduate student-athletes as champions. This is a significant opportunity to enhance our facilities, especially the ballpark, now Founders Field, and the Coliseum, support our student-athletes, and strengthen our championship culture. We are grateful for this collaborative vision that will build on our success and propel Winthrop Athletics into the next era of college athletics.”
There will be in-game elements/contests for all events at Founders Field and the Winthrop Coliseum. Founders branding will be found in all athletic emails, the Eagle Insider Weekly Newsletter, on the athletics’ homepage and Inside Athletics drop down menu of winthropeagles.com.
