DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton and Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group today announced the extension of PNC’s sponsorship commitment to the University of Dayton’s athletics programs.

The partnership, which began with the 2000-01 seasons, will now run through the 2014-2015 academic year. Financial terms were not disclosed. 

PNC Bank serves as the Official Bank for UD Athletics. Both PNC and UD are continuing to enhance their partnership by offering exclusive pre-sale and ticket discount opportunities to PNC customers, among other benefits for both Dayton season ticket holders and PNC customers.
 
“UD and PNC share many values, including teamwork, integrity and the competitive spirit” said Dave Melin, Regional President of PNC Dayton. “And like the University of Dayton, PNC’s philosophy is to give back and enrich the communities where we live and work. This partnership goes beyond just athletics…it speaks to the very essence of both the University and the Bank. We are proud to play a part in enabling the University of Dayton to continue its legacy of success and commitment to the community."

“We are extremely pleased that PNC has extended its relationship with us,” UD Vice-President and Director of Athletics Tim Wabler said. “Over the last 10 years we have continued to raise the performance standards of our student-athletes, competitively and in the classroom. This is a direct result of the support of our partners like PNC. 

“Beyond that, the University of Dayton Athletics Division is committed to community service, with our student-athletes volunteering thousands of hours in projects over the years,” Wabler added.  “Partnering with like-minded institutions like PNC is a perfect fit.”

For the first time in school history, UD sent four automatic qualifying teams to the NCAA’s in 2011-12. Women’s soccer, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball all won Atlantic 10 titles and advanced to their respective NCAA tournaments. Dayton was the only team to the Atlantic 10 to do that in 2011-12, and the first in four years.

While the University was breaking new ground in post season, Flyer student-athletes continued to perform at a high level in the classroom. UD had a combined GPA over 3.2, a 95 percent graduation rate and nine teams -- football, men’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s golf, women’s rowing, women’s tennis and women’s volleyball – were recognized by the NCAA for their academic progress rate scores.

“PNC is an important partner,” Wabler concluded, “and we appreciate their commitment to UD athletics.”