Aspire adds third Horizon League partner at the University of Illinois at Chicago

ATLANTA, GA – The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Athletics Department has announced a ticket marketing, sales and service partnership with The Aspire Sport Marketing Group. Located in the heart of Chicago, the on-campus UIC Fan Relationship Management Center (FRMC) will be responsible for new ticket sales and renewals as well as the generation of charitable donations to the Flames Athletic Fund. 

 “All of us at UIC are thrilled to be able to team up with an industry leader in The Aspire Group,” said UIC Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy. “Being in Chicago positions us in the heartbeat of one of the world’s most passionate sports cities. This partnership will allow us to continue to make connections in our community, broaden our reach and develop Flames fans for life.”

“We are excited to partner with Garrett Klassy and his team to engage the community with innovative outreach and communicate why UIC Athletics is one of the best entertainment options in Chicago,” said A.J. Smith, Vice President of Client Partner Development for Aspire. “Flames fans can expect a first-class experience and big enhancements in personalized customer service.”

The Flames are Aspire’s 42^nd FRMC and third partnership in the Horizon League, joining Cleveland State University and the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. Regional Director Joe Kronander, who also oversees the Cleveland State FRMC, will act as the liaison between Aspire and UIC.

“All of us believe that the year ahead will be the best ever in our department’s history,” said Klassy. “We have continued to align ourselves with companies like The Aspire Group that believe in our mission of winning championships and changing lives, and are willing to do what it takes to help us achieve all that we can.”

 

About UIC Athletics

The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics proudly supports 20 Division I varsity programs that compete at the highest level within the NCAA. Eighteen of the 20 teams compete in the Horizon League. Nicknamed the Flames, UIC’s teams have won 65 conference championships and made 66 NCAA Championship appearances.

This is the latest in a line of several partnership announcements for the Flames this summer. UIC has also announced a groundbreaking marketing and corporate sponsorship agreement with 4FRONT, a Chicago-based firm that aligns with sports properties worldwide. In addition, Klassy announced a new agreement with adidas, which serves as the official athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand of the Flames.

About UIC

UIC ranks among the nation’s leading research universities and is Chicago’s largest university, with 28,000 students, 15 colleges, and the state’s major public medical center. UIC has been a leader in a new model of higher education: the comprehensive urban research university.

About The Aspire Group

The Aspire Group is a sports and entertainment marketing firm that is globally recognized for innovative consulting, ticketing and partnership services. Aspire created the outsourced ticket sales niche, revolutionizing Intercollegiate Athletics with the first Fan Relationship Management Center (FRMC) at Georgia Tech in 2009. Over the past decade, more than 230 collegiate and professional sports properties have trusted Aspire to drive revenue, attendance and enterprise value growth through the combination of strategic consulting and research services, data insights and best-in-industry fan relationship management.

For inquiries, contact A.J. Smith at 404-389-9100 or aj.smith@theaspiregroupinc.com.