Football season is well underway now, and so are creativecampaigns credit unions from Florida to San Diego are staging tobuild team spirit, both on and off the field.

Sponsoring local football teams is a long-standing annualtradition for many credit unions, and some are already celebratingin the end zone by increasing awareness and membership.

Others are rookies, but still scoring by supporting local teams,hosting contests during home games, sponsoring sports-relatedmember engagement initiatives and even drafting football stars suchas Atlanta Falcons linebacker SeanWitherspoon to share the credit union team spirit.

Football fever is heating up. For example, one Midwestern creditunion recently announced three football sponsorships, including alocal high school league, a college team and an NFL team.

There's even a friendly rivalry – and friendly bets – going onamong credit unions that support different teams. And that's justthe tip of the pigskin.

Following is a closer look at seven gridiron contenders.

Next Page: USC vs. Notre Dame

In the spirit of the Notre Dame vs. University of SouthernCalifornia football game set for Oct. 19, Tom Gryp, president/CEOof the $44 million Notre Dame FCU in South Bend, Ind., issued achallenge this week to Gary Perez, president/CEO of the $370million USC Credit Union in Los Angeles.

The goal: To see which institution can acquire the most newcredit card applications by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 17.

“Those are fighting words, and we're looking forward to takingthe fight out of the Irish,” Perez joked, after learning that NotreDame had released a press release almost immediately after issuingthe challenge. “Our team has what it takes to win.”

Both credit unions have contributed $5,000 and the champion willreceive the full $10,000 to donate to the charity of theirchoice.

“When we win, and you'll notice I didn't say “if” we win, weplan to donate the $10,000 to Troy Camp, the oldest and largestphilanthropy at the University of Southern California, which is runby USC undergraduates and helps to inspire kids from Los Angelesarea elementary schools to pursue higher education by providingtutoring, after-school programs and other educational events,”Perez added.

Notre Dame FCU's charity of choice is Kelly Cares Foundation,established by Brian Kelly, head football coach for Notre Dame, andhis wife, Paquim, which supports organizations, initiatives andprograms in health, education and community, the credit unionsaid.

Last year Notre Dame FCU launched a Visa Platinum/ Kelly CaresFoundation affinity card that donates 1% of cardholders' annualpurchase to the charity. Notre Dame FCU was also a participatingsponsor of the Kelly Cares Foundation's Football 101, where fundsraised were donated to breast cancer research.

Notre Dame FCU lost a similarchallengelast year to the $537 million Alabama Credit Union inTuscaloosa, Ala. During that credit card contest, Notre Dame FCUreceived 331 applications, but Alabama CU won by getting 355. Bothcredit unions reported that everyone came out a winner because thecontest prompted a significantly larger number of credit cardapplications than either organization typically receives.

The two credit unions in this year's challenge are hoping forsimilar results.

At Notre Dame FCU, members who apply for credit cards have theopportunity to win a $50 Visa gift card every Friday leading up tothe game by sharing or commenting on the credit union's Facebook,Twitter, or other social media posts; or clicking the share buttonslocated on the campaign's website atndfcu.org/beatusc. Also, eligibleapplicants will receive a free, commemorative “Onward to Victory!”rally towel.

At USC, all members who apply for a credit card during thecampaign will receive a free USC Backpack and a chance to win a $50USC Bookstore Gift Card. Also, all staff members will also beencouraged to share, tweet and post for a chance to win a weeklyprize.

Next Page: The Indy Trifecta

Cheering for one team just isn'tenough for some credit unions.

“Indiana Members Credit Union is honored to be a sponsor of theIndianapolis Colts for the next three seasons, and we're also proudto be an official partner of the University of IndianapolisGreyhounds and WHMB Channel 40's 'Game of the Week' for the IndianaHigh School Athletic Association,” said Ron Collier, president/CEOof the $1.4 billion Indianapolis-based IMCU.

“Like the athletic programs we support, IMCU is a localorganization that is committed to the community, teamwork andexcellence,” Collier said.

The Colts sponsorship includes radio commercials, websiteadvertising and signage in the hospitality areas for the team's30th season in Indianapolis. Led by second-year quarterback AndrewLuck, the Colts qualified for the NFL playoffs with an 11-5 recordlast season. All home games have been sold out for the past nineseasons, including the glory years for the Colts with PeytonManning under center.

Sponsorships from credit unions and other supporters are crucialto the sport, said Jay Souers, senior vice president of sponsorshipsales for the Colts.

“We thank IMCU for their support of the Indianapolis Coltsbecause the support we receive from all our sponsors allows us tocontinually put a winning team on the field,” he added.

Collier said the combined initiatives have “proven successful sofar, offering us the ability to reach out to fans and show oursupport in our community, which is a feature that we know ourmembers appreciate.”

(IMCU, like other credit unions interviewed for this article,declined to provide the specific cost of the sponsorships.)

The partnership with the University of Indianapolis Greyhoundsincludes television and radio commercials, PA announcements, andlogo placement on the UIndy Athletics home webpage, football andbasketball schedules posters, game-day tickets, in the annualGreyhound Club calendar, and in various athletic facilities,stadiums and hospitality areas.

The credit union also sponsors WHMB Channel 40's “Game of theWeek” for the Indiana High School Athletic Association's footballand basketball games through 2014, which includes commercial spotsbefore and during games, on air logo placement, logo placement onthe station's website, on-air interviews and recognition in pressreleases and website streamed games.

“We believe in supporting local organizations and are excited tobegin these relationships,” Collier concluded. “We look forward tocheering on the Colts and the Greyhounds, and enjoying all thelocal high school football action on WHMB.”

Next Page: Bullish on SouthFlorida

Grow Financial Credit Union, which has supported the Universityof South Florida's football program for almost a decade, recentlyannounced a continued partnership and a new move for theplaybook.

This season, the $1.9 billion Tampa credit union introduced anew tweet-to-win promotion for Bulls fans. During home games, fansin specific rows are invited to watch the video board during thefirst quarter for college football trivia questions.

Participants use Twitter to answer and win prizes, includingGrow Financial swag, such as reusable lunch totes, towels and giftcards, which are distributed during the third quarter by members ofthe USF athletics department.

“Grow Financial is very proud to continue our support of theUniversity of South Florida again this year and fans seem to beenjoying the new tweet-to-win promotion,” said Allen Milliron,director of corporate sponsorships for the 160,000-memberinstitution.

GrowFinancial is also sponsoring the Hero of the Game, whichrecognizes local military members and veterans during homegames.

The USF football sponsorship began nine years ago and accountsfor about 9% of the credit union's sponsorship budget, Millironsaid, adding that the investment has paid off by building communityrapport, raising brand awareness and increasing membership.

Over the years, the credit union has also contributed to theuniversity's general athletic fund. For example, Grow Financialdonated $11,250 through its “More in Return” program in 2011 bypledging $10 for each USF punt and kickoff return during theregular season.

“The University of South Florida has achieved nationalprominence for the excellence of its academic and athleticprograms,” said Brian Holloway, a USF graduate and assistant vicepresident of marketing for Grow Financial. “We're very proud to beinvolved with this dynamic institution and contribute in our smallway toward their success.”

Next Page: Meet Me in St.Louis

Scott Credit Union isn't sitting on the sidelines thisseason.

The $930 million Air Force-based credit union recently inked athree-year sponsorship deal to become the official credit union ofthe NFL's St. Louis Rams.

The new partnership includes television and radio commercialsduring Rams programming, as well as signage in the Edward JonesDome on game days and combined community events.

“What an honor for us to be able to tie our organization to aprofessional sports franchise that has fans on both sides of theriver,” said Frank Padak, president/CEO of the Edwardsville, Ill.,institution.

Scott CU will also partner with the Rams' “Street Team” forseveral community events over the next three years. Plans are alsounderway to offer a St. Louis Rams debit card and checks.

To promote its new partnership, Scott CU and the Rams will give200 tickets to a Nov. 3 game to military families during a teampractice at Scott Air Force Base.

“What a great thank you to the military families for theirservice to our country,” Padak said. “It is our pleasure to providethe opportunity for them to take a break and attend a Rams' homegame.”

Next Page: San Diego Success Story

As the title sponsor of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl for almost adecade, the $6.2 billion SDCCU is a pro when it comes tofootball-related campaigns.

Each December, the bowl game sanctioned by the NationalCollegiate Athletic Association packs the house at Qualcomm Stadiumin San Diego, Cali.

The 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl is setfor Dec. 26. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Radio.

Over the years, SDCCU has used the bowl game to support the SanDiego Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, donating a dollar foreach ticket sold.

The partnership between SDCCU, Make-A-Wish and the PoinsettiaBowl has been in effect since the game began in 2005. During thattime, more than 40 wishes have been granted to medically fragilechildren in San Diego from ticket sales.

The 248,000-member San Diego credit union also works with otherorganizations to sponsor youth football clinics each year. Thissummer, about 500 boys and girls attended local football clinics tolearn skills and participate in drills taught by football coachesfrom area colleges, the credit union said.

Next Page: Visa's FinancialFootball

The popularity of pigskin is also helping to tacklefinancial literacy.

A growing number of credit unions are offering FinancialFootball, a free online and classroom money management programdeveloped by Visa and the NFL.

For example, the $210 million UTFederal Credit Union in Knoxville used the program this year tohelp University of Tennessee Upward Bound students.

Financial Football puts players' fiscal knowledge to the test inan online simulation game environment by combining the structureand rules of the NFL with financial education questions. Classroommodules allow teachers to incorporate the game.

Since Financial Football's debut in 2005, Visa has reachedagreements with 38 states and the District of Columbia to share thegame and curriculum with high schools and middle schools, thecompany said.

This week, the program was launched in Delaware with the help ofBaltimore Ravens wide receiver Brandon Stokley.

“Kids need to learn to make smart money management decisionsearly in life,” Stokley said during a Financial Football kick-offevent. “It takes the combined efforts of parents, teachers andmentors within the community to give teenagers a strong backgroundin personal finance.”

Other players have also supported the program.

Washington Redskins' linebacker London Fletcher and running backAlfred Morris to help showcase the game at a special event hostedby the $54 billion Navy Federal Credit Union in Vienna, Va.(Photo above.)

“Consumers of all ages need to learnto make smart money management decisions early in life,” Fletchertold the audience. “You wouldn't get on the field without a gameplan. You eed to plan your finances the same way.”

Morris added this sage advice: “It doesn't matter whether youmake minimum wage or millions. If you don't learn to budget, save,invest and pay bills on time, the consequences can bedevastating.”

Then, the two athletes, along with Navy Federal Branch ManagerJames Horner, rolled up their sleeves and led attendees in ahigh-energy game of Financial Football.

“Visa's Financial Football is a valuable program and we'rethrilled to be a committed partner,” Homer said. “Teachingresponsible, money management skills is not only a good thing todo; it's the right thing to do.”

For other credit unions that want to join the game, FinancialFootball is available online, as afree iPhone app or an optimizediPadversion.

Next Page: Tigers in Ohio

Football promotions don't have to be tied to the pros tobe profitable.

Located in less than an hour from Cleveland and just minutesfrom the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Superior Savings CU is in the heart of football country and hasleveraged the area's athletic heritage for years as a way toconnect with the community and to increase profits.

The institution in Massillon, Ohio, offers an annual CDpromotion tied to the popular local team: Washington High School'sMassillon Tigers, named after the town's former professionalfootball team that played in the early 1900s for the Ohio League, aprecursor to the NFL.

“This town is crazy about football and our members love theannual Tiger CDs,” said Deborah Hartke, CEO of the 2,800-membercredit union. “One year, we brought in $7 million through thepromotion, which was amazing because we're small with about $24million in assets.”

In past years, the rates for the special Tiger CDs would riseeach time the Tigers won, but this season the credit union isoffering tiered fixed rates.

“Due to the rate environment this year, we had to offer a fixedrate with no bump up,” Hartke said. “If we would have done that wewould have had to start too low for people to keep their moneyhere. So, to be fair to the members, we just offered a solidrate to begin with because Tiger fans deserve the best.”

The credit union also sponsors football games on the local radiostation and the Superior Player of the Week, which recognizesoutstanding athletes.

Last year, the credit union also offered a Tiger Football LoanPromotion that rewarded members $5 to $15 every time the MassillonTigers won during the regular season. Participating membersreceived a rebate of up to $150 on qualified new loans.

“We have a ton of fun during football season and the membersreally seem to get into the team spirit,” Hartke added.