Hampton University received a $1 million pledge earlier this month from TowneBank for naming rights within Armstrong Stadium and other “premier engagements” within the school’s athletic department.
“We are extremely excited about this news and we look very much forward to our enhanced partnership,” Hampton president Darrell K. Williams said in a release. “We truly appreciate TowneBank and its continued support and advocacy of Hampton and our vision to amplify and sustain an athletic program and culture of excellence that promote national university pride and build high-achieving leaders and champions.”
Hampton athletic director Anthony Henderson said a new premium seating area will be added to Armstrong Stadium and will be named after the bank.
The suite will have enclosed and rooftop seating as well as a rooftop bar, Henderson said. The suite is the first of its kind in Armstrong Stadium.
According to plans for the suite provided by the Hampton athletic department, the suite will hold up to 143 fans on game days.
Construction of the suite will start sometime prior to Hampton’s first home football game on Sept 9, Hampton director of athletic development Joseph Walters said in an email.
Walters and Henderson both said a construction completion date is still to be determined.
The suite is expected to be located on the south side of the stadium near the jumbotron.
Money from TowneBank’s pledge will also go towards establishing an injury tent on the sideline of the stadium to “align with the rest of the (Colonial Athletic Association) medical service staff,” a release said.
Hampton’s fundraising campaign — Pirate on the Move — will also get some help from TowneBank’s pledge so fundraising can happen during away athletic events.
Along with its name being showcased inside the stadium, the pledge guarantees TowneBank’s branding will be shown on signage at other athletic events.
The partnership will also bring programming to Hampton that provides “access to students to include interviewing, internships, and employment at the bank and (TowneBank’s) family of companies,” the release said.
“This gift marks the largest partnership between TowneBank and an HBCU,” Alexis Swann, president of TowneBank Peninsula and Williamsburg, said in a release. “We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate and find new, strategic ways to enhance our relationship with Hampton University.”
Henderson came to Hampton with a background in fundraising and revenue regeneration and said the pledge from TowneBank is “huge” to get during his first few months on the job.
“It sends a message that we’re doing things a little bit differently than we have in the past,” Henderson said. “Hopefully, this is not the first and only and we’re gonna have more after this. Hopefully, it spurs other community partners to want to get involved with Hampton athletics. TowneBank is well known in the community, great community partners with other universities and other organizations and they decided to make their largest gift to an HBCU to us. So hopefully that sends a message that resonates with other people.”
Michael Sauls, 757-803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com
