SIUE Athletics earned a national award Tuesday for its promotion last fall when Cougar men’s soccer fans broke a world record for the most Pepsi NEXT cans opened at one time. See the video.
The award was announced at the annual National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) workshop. SIUE had been one of three finalists with Long Beach State University and Portland State for the Sponsorship Activation Group II Best of Awards.
“This is a tremendous honor for our University, our department, and our marketing team,” said SIUE Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs Jason Coomer. “The recognition our marketing staff has gained across the country as being one of the up-and-coming marketing teams is something of which we are very proud. The efforts of our staff and our University to gain this national notoriety are exciting. We look forward to continuing to build on this success.”
Winners were selected by an awards committee comprised of NCAA Division I athletic administrators from across the country. This was the first time SIUE has been nominated for a NACMA award since moving to the D-I level.
Partnering with SIUE Student Affairs, Pepsi, and Pepsi NEXT, SIUE Athletics got the 2013-14 season off to a record start. Nearly 2,000 fans at SIUE’s exhibition game against Milwaukee simultaneously popped Pepsi NEXT cans. The event was held in conjunction with the SIUE Experience, which welcomes incoming freshmen to campus for the start of the year.
“We enjoy a great relationship with our partners from Pepsi,” added Coomer. “We are just happy to be able to bring recognition to our University and department as well as to our loyal corporate partners at Pepsi.”
Photo: SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe (lower right) joins with Cougar soccer fans in simultaneously opening Pepsi NEXT cans.