Cellular One logo to be painted on McKale's court

Charles C. Labenz Arizona Summer Wildcat This photo of a vinyl Cellular One logo on the floor at McKale Center was taken two weeks ago. The logo is expected to be painted on the floor next week when the Athletics Department finalizes the corporate sponsorship deal.

The UA Athletics Department is in the final stages of completing a sponsorship deal with Cellular One, making it one of the only colleges in the country to place a corporate logo on its basketball court.

The department has been able to pursue corporate sponsorship more aggressively since the men's basketball team won the national championship, said Steve Sullivan, director of marketing and promotions in the Athletics Department.

Sullivan said the partnership with Cellular One is a valuable asset to the department and will create additional funding for student athletes.

Considering whether to place a logo on the court, the department has moved slowly because it was unsure if this was an avenue the university wanted to take, and also was concerned about what the public's reaction would be to the less than subtle sponsorship, he said.

Students on campus Monday afternoon were unsure if the new wave of sponsorship would have a positive or negative effect on college athletics.

"It's good for financial reasons, but I think it takes away from the collegiate atmosphere and makes it more like professional sports," said Steve Hornstein, a psychology senior. "I don't know if it's necessary to paint their logo across the court."

Microbiology senior Melissa Romero said the increased interest to sponsor our program was a compliment to the university.

"It means people want to be associated with our basketball team since we won the championship, so I think it's neat," Romero said.

Others were concerned with the financial aspects of the deal.

Chemistry graduate student Ric Gonzalez said many departments on campus could benefit from additional funding that the sponsorship could provide but said he believed the money would remain in the Athletics Department.

"I think it's a great idea, but I just want to know where the money is going to go," Gonzalez said.

Robbie Keller, an incoming freshman said, "It's money; it's always going to be there."

Currently, one side of the court has a temporary vinyl Cellular One logo that was placed to give both parties an idea what it would look like, said Steve Kozachik, director of facilities management and capital projects for the Athletics Department.

Kozachik said NCAA regulations allow two spots on the court to be available for corporate sponsorship and Cellular One has committed to buy both.

UA facilities management employees will paint the permanent logos on the court early next week, he said.

Because the deal with Cellular One may also include sponsorship at other UA athletic facilities, Sullivan said the exact revenue the university will receive is unknown until the contract is completed.

Wallace Renfro, a NCAA representative, said the only other school he was aware of that had a corporate logo on their court was Georgia Tech, which is sponsored by McDonald's.

Bill Ray, executive associate director of athletics for finance and facilities at Georgia Tech, said Georgia Tech became the first school to have a logo on their court when it struck a deal with McDonald's three years ago.

Ray said the agreement required special approval from high-ranking officials in the NCAA because it was not specifically covered in their rules.

The NCAA does allow universities to play on municipal arenas with corporate logos but enforces strict policies regarding sponsorship at university-owned venues.

Georgetown University plays at the US Air Center and the RCA dome serves as home court for Indiana University.

Ray said McDonald's has one restaurant in the coliseum at Georgia Tech and a second one in the athletic association building on campus.

The contract should be completed in the next couple of weeks and Athletics Director Jim Livengood is expected to make an official announcement at that time, Sullivan said.