Texas Trust Credit Union just joined the growing list offinancial co-ops teaming up with athletics.

The $796 million institution in Mansfield, Tex., has been tappedas the official credit union sponsor of the University of Texas atArlington's Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The seven-year, strategic partnership is the largest sponsorshipagreement in UT Arlington athletic program history, the universitysaid.

Through the agreement, Texas Trust gains marketing andpromotional rights through the university's athletic programs,officials said.

Texas Trust will open a branch in the university's 20-acreCollege Park district in spring 2014, place ATMs at various campuslocations, and market a variety of UT Arlington-branded debit cardsproviding cash rewards to the university, the credit unionsaid.

Also as part of the new partnership, Texas Trust will providefinancial tools and resources for educational purposes to supportthe UT Arlington Student Money Management Center, which educatesstudents about money, savings and credit awareness, the creditunion said.

“This partnership will strengthen UT Arlington's ability toinfluence and shape the lives of thousands of young adults bygiving them access to financial resources and tools to help thembuild brighter financial futures,” said Jim Minge, president of the60,000-member Texas Trust, which recently opened its 13th branch in Arlington.

As a prime sponsor, the Texas Trust brand will be featuredthrough signage, hospitality services and a multi-media advertisingprogram, and will be highly visible throughout the College Parkdistrict and College Park Center, a 7,000-seat venue for UTArlington basketball and women's volleyball games, concerts,commencement ceremonies and special events, the universitysaid.

The partnership was facilitated by Nelligan Sports Marketing ofLittle Falls, N.J.

Mark Devine, the company's senior vice president, said, “Thisuniversity-wide partnership is designed to create a fullycollaborative business and educational relationship.”