The $2.7 billion State Employees Credit Union of Linthicum, Md., will pay $4.75million over the next 10 years for the naming rights at TowsonUniversity's new, 5,200-seat arena.

SECU Arena will provide Maryland's largest state-charteredcredit union with marketing opportunities to reach youngprospective members during athletic events. With nearly 22,000students, Towson University is among the largest publicuniversities in Maryland, just outside of Baltimore.

In addition to SECU signage throughout the $68 million arenawhich opened in May, the deal gives SECU access to one of thevenue's two large corporate suites and multipurpose rooms. Thecredit union will operate a new welcome center, a SECU informationcenter and new full-service ATMs, said Gay Pinder, director ofmedia relations at Towson University.

“We are excited about this new partnership with a highlyrespected Maryland institution of higher education that shares ourvalues and our commitment to excellence. This agreement transcendssimply putting the SECU name on the university's new arena,” saidRod Staatz, SECU's president/CEO.

“This is a 360-degree relationship that will allow us to becomeintegral partners with the university—including its students,alumni, and faculty, as well as the residents in the region—in waysthat simply have not been available before,” Staatz said.

SECU said it will also increase its current efforts to provideeducation and resources to Towson University students on financialliteracy and money management. For example, SECU will offerfinancial presentations and information for students and theirparents during the university's freshmen orientation.

SECU Arena houses four premium mezzanine level private suites,approximately 340 premium club seats around the top of the lowerbowl, and 120 courtside seats. It also has a 1,500-square foothospitality room, a 680-square foot multipurpose room on themezzanine, and an 800-square foot team store on the concourselevel. The new arena features a four-level, center-hung scoreboardalong with a “more than 360-degree” video fascia display, theuniversity said.

SECU is among a number of credit unions around the country that have bought naming rightsfor a variety of venues, from ballparks to theaters tocarousels.