“We’re incredibly grateful to Nusenda and to our multimedia rights partner, Van Wagner, for helping bring this important partnership to life,” NM State Acting Director of Athletics Amber Burdge added. “This five-year agreement comes at a pivotal time as we continue to build momentum around student-athlete support, facility enhancement and community engagement. Having Nusenda’s presence on the field at Aggie Memorial Stadium reflects not only their commitment to NM State, but also the shared values that drive our vision forward.”

2. 7 17 Credit Union & the Akron RubberDucks

The $1.8 billion, Warren, Ohio-based 7 17 Credit Union became the official credit union of the Akron RubberDucks, a minor league baseball team and the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.

According to 7 17 CU’s announcement June 5, the collaboration will officially kick off with the “Let Three-Dom Ring” Independence Day celebration July 3 at the Canal Park stadium in Akron, for which the credit union will serve as presenting sponsor. Other elements of the partnership will include the presence of a 7 17 CU prize trailer outside the stadium’s gates throughout the season at select Saturday home games, where fans will have the chance to win gift cards to popular Akron-area restaurants and other prizes.

“It’s an honor to partner with such a staple of the Akron community,” 7 17 CU President/CEO John Demmler stated. “We’re thrilled to support the RubberDucks’ mission of affordable family fun and to demonstrate our commitment to being an active, positive force in the communities we serve.”

3. MSUFCU & the John Smoltz Strikeout Baseball Stadium

The $8.2 billion, East Lansing, Mich.-based MSUFCU was announced as field sponsor of the new John Smoltz Strikeout Baseball Stadium, a conceptual baseball facility that allows players to pitch, hit and field in a miniature stadium environment, during the facility’s opening celebration last week. Intended to help children develop healthy baseball habits that enable their love of baseball, the new facility is located in Ferris Park in downtown Lansing, Mich.

According to MSUFCU, the layout of the Strikeout Baseball space is tailored to promote inclusivity and accommodate all groups of players, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities or the size of the group.

“A facility like this can have a tremendous impact on the community by providing a welcoming and inclusive space for people of all ages and skill levels, whether you are part of the Lansing community or visiting,” MSUFCU Vice President of Community Impact Arianna Ridderbusch said. “When this opportunity came to us, MSUFCU immediately saw it as a chance to support a space that would bring people together and help the next generation dream big.”

She added, “Baseball is a wonderful avenue for youth to come together, build skills and learn key lessons in teamwork, leadership and resilience. By being part of this project, MSUFCU is supporting an environment where young people can grow, learn and connect. It was an easy decision for us to get behind because it directly supports our mission of making a positive and lasting impact on our community.”