Cullowhee, North Carolina – Western Carolina Athletics and Ingles Markets strengthened their long-standing corporate partnership by entering into a three-year agreement for court naming rights for Catamount home sporting events inside the Liston B. Ramsey regional center .

The Ramsey Center play area has been renamed “Ingles Court” in recognition of the expanded sponsorship agreement between WCU and Ingles Markets, based in Black Mountain, North Carolina. In addition to the Ingles logo adorning the pitch in two locations, the deal includes the Ingles Court branding on the sidelines, a directional branding within the Ramsey Center, as well as the inclusion of Ingles Court in all ground name recognitions from installation.

“Ingles believes our partnership with WCU extends to sports, education and local services. We are very proud of this relationship and what it has already brought to so many people. This next step is a natural progression as we seek new ways to effect positive change in the field, the field, the campus and our cities, ”said Melissa Leavell, Director of Advertising for Ingles Markets.

Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center serves as the ground for all of Catamount’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball games. In addition to the Ingles branding, the pitch received a new look for the WCU playing surface that included broad purple stripes encircling the pitch to the side and baselines, an updated wordmark branding, as well as a two-tone wood finish inside the 3-point arches. The existing WCU lot has been remodeled and renamed by Praters Flooring of Chattanooga, Tenn.

Ingles, a leading regional supermarket chain with nearly 200 stores in six southeastern states, is a long-time partner of Catamount Athletics and the Southern Conference, as the main sponsor of the world’s oldest basketball tournament. country conference ball. Through his successful catering wing, The Chef’s Kitchen, the grocer has collaborated with WCU’s athletic fundraising arm, the Catamount Club, by sponsoring pre-game events such as the Purple Zoned. Ingles has also been a strong supporter of WCU student-athletes by making generous donations to WCU athletic performance and nutrition aimed at their health and well-being.

“Catamount Athletics is delighted to continue and expand our long-standing relationship with Ingles Markets,” WCU Athletic Director said. Alex Gary. “As a true community partner, Ingles has meant a lot to our local community and western North Carolina in general.”

Catamount volleyball will be the first team to compete on the all-new Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center, opening its 2021 season at the end of August. WCU men’s and women’s basketball begin their respective seasons in early November. Each of these teams’ season schedules will be unveiled in the near future.

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