U.S. Bank ends 39-year Pole Pedal Paddle title sponsorship
(Update: Adding title sponsorship cost)
The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation’s largest fundraiser, the Pole Pedal Paddle announced Wednesday that it is searching for a new title sponsor for the Pole Pedal Paddle, its largest fundraiser, after U.S. Bank’s withdrawal from that role in the nearly 40-year-old event.
After 39 years of supporting the Pole Pedal Paddle, U.S. Bank recently announced it will not be renewing their sponsorship, MBSEF announced.
“As one of the founding sponsors, we are proud to have had the opportunity to be a part of the Pole Pedal Paddle for as many years as we have,” said Coby Horton, regional vice president for Central and Eastern Oregon for U.S. Bank.
“MBSEF is a truly remarkable organization,who does great things for the youth of our community, and our partnership will continue,” Horton said. “However, this change will open the door for a sponsor to be invested in the Bend community through our corporate giving and community engagement platform.”
The Pole Pedal Paddle started with about 60 participants in 1977 and had over 2,500 participants last May.
“U.S. Bank has been an integral part of the success of the PPP and MBSEF is sincerely grateful for their longstanding commitment to this event,” said MBSEF Financial Development and Events Director Miolly Cogswell-Kelly.
“We will miss working with their local team, but we look forward to working with a new title sponsor for the event,” she added in the news release announcing the U.S. Bank decision.
Within 30 minutes of sending out the announcement and request for new sponsors, Cogswell-Kelly said several potential candidates already had gotten in touch — and that if things go well, there could be a new, more upbeat announcement in the next couple of days.
Cogswell-Kelly said U.S. Bank was paying $50,000 a year for the title sponsorship and MBSEF is seeking $55,000 for 2018 and $50,000 in the two subsequent years.
The Pole Pedal Paddle is the largest multisport event in Central Oregon. Racers begin at Mt. Bachelor with an intermediate ski/snowboard run, then transitioning into a 8 km cross country ski course, then a 22 mile bike ride on Century Drive into Bend, then a 5 mile trail run on the Deschutes River trail, a 2 mile paddle on the Deschutes River and ending with a .5 mile sprint to the finish at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District.
At the finish line area, competitors and spectators gather to tell their stories about their race experience, eat great food, drink a beverage, listen to live music and visit the 50+ booths at the event.
Fore more information on the PPP title sponsorship marketing opportunity, contact Cogswell-Kelley at 541-388-0002 or molly@mbsef.org.
Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation creates opportunities through competitive snow sports programs to support athletes in achieving their individual athletic, academic, and personal goals.
