We want to be sure the relationship we create with corporate sponsors is in line with the university and intercollegiate athletics. Like other Big 12 universities, most ISU sponsors are local or regional. Some of the athletic department's local sponsors, besides its main ones, include Garden Cafe, Benson Motor, and Iowa Network Services in Des Moines. National sponsors, like Coca-Cola, work through local offices. The revenue from these sponsors is portioned out within different areas of the athletic department, depending on where funds are most needed.
Revenues come in and are used for anything to meet bottom-line obligations of the budget.
Iowa State's main sponsors say they're involved to bring recognition to the school. Norwest is also a corporate sponsor at the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. Eric Fogg, program manager for community investment with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., in Des Moines, said the company contributes regularly to national and international educational organizations, like Iowa State's. Pioneer is also a sponsor at Iowa, UNI, Drake, Western Illinois, Purdue and Illinois State. Though athletic sponsors get publicity from announcements at events, signs with company logos and other perks for their contributions, corporate officials say the direct benefits are minimal.