May 8, 2008
DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton and National City today announced the extension of National City's sponsorship commitment to the University of Dayton athletic programs.
The contract, which began with the 2000-2001 school year, will now run through the end of 2012. Financial terms were not disclosed.
"We're extremely pleased National City has extended its relationship with us as our top corporate partner," UD Vice-President and Director of Athletics Ted Kissell said. "Thanks to the support of National City, we are able to invest more in all of our 397 student-athletes. That investment has paid off with a great year both athletically and academically for the Flyers."
Dayton is nearing the end of the 2007-08 campaign that has seen unprecedented success on-and-off the field. UD's top-tiered team sports - baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, men's and women's soccer, softball and volleyball - have won 164 contests, lost 82 and tied nine for 66% winning percentage. The Flyers' previous best in any given year was 57%.
Two teams, football and volleyball, were conference champions. Two others, men's golf and women's track, placed second in the Atlantic 10 for their best-ever finish. Men's and women's basketball reached the post-season together for the first time in eight years.
Academically, UD's 95 rating in the NCAA's latest Graduation Success Rate report is the best in the Atlantic 10 Conference and one of the best in the nation. The Flyers join Bucknell, Colgate, Davidson, Duke, Holy Cross, Lehigh, Northwestern, Notre Dame and Stanford as the top schools traditionally in graduating student-athletes.
Flyer student-athletes continue to succeed in the classroom, currently holding a cumulative GPA above 3.0 through the 2006-07 school year. The 2007 fall semester was an exceptionally successful one, with 145 of UD's 397 student-athletes making the Dean's List (3.5 or better), and 17 earning a perfect 4.0 GPA. For 24 consecutive years Dayton has had at least one student-athlete named an Academic All-American.
"The University of Dayton is truly a champion both on and off the field," said Jim Hoehn, President and CEO of National City in the Dayton area. "National City mirrors this championship spirit and, in fact, we share many of the same values including integrity, accountability, competitive spirit and teamwork. We are proud to play a part in enabling the University of Dayton Athletics Department to continue its legacy of success and commitment to the community."
"National City is a great partner and we appreciate their commitment to UD Athletics" said Kissell. "We are gratified by their belief in our mission and look forward to an even stronger relationship as we move ahead."
