COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Mountain West today, alongside JMI Sports, announced that Credit Union 1 will become the official financial and literacy partner for the Conference. Credit Union 1, a leading financial institution with a nationwide membership, is an Illinois-based financial institution that drives individual, family, and community financial success. CU1 will also be the entitlement partner for the Mountain West Basketball Championships and all Olympic Sports Championships.

“We are thrilled to partner with Credit Union 1 and have it become the official entitlement partner of the MW Basketball Championships and all Olympic sports championships,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “Their substantial monetary commitment and investment into financial literacy and education will enormously benefit MW student-athletes across the league.”

Credit Union 1’s renowned financial literacy program, originally introduced at the University of Notre Dame, now expands across the Mountain West Conference. This initiative aims to provide economic opportunities for student-athletes across the Mountain West, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to manage their finances effectively.

This first-of-its-kind partnership with Credit Union 1, becoming the entitlement partner for all Mountain West Olympic Sports Championships, will ensure it maintains a year-round presence, beginning with the cross-country championships in November and continuing through to the baseball championships in May. Throughout the year, Credit Union 1 will engage with the Mountain West’s passionate fan bases through a variety of activations, including sponsorship of fan sections, on-site fan activities, community-themed promotions, and interactive in-game moments.

“Mountain West student-athletes are future leaders in our communities, and Credit Union 1 is committed to helping them establish a strong financial foundation for their futures, especially as they navigate the ever-changing opportunities of the NIL landscape,” says Todd Gunderson, President and CEO of Credit Union 1. “Through our financial wellness tools, best-in-class banking products, and easy-to-access technology, Credit Union 1 offers the resources to help student-athletes succeed both on and off the field, and through our dedicated member service, CU1 hopes to build strong relationships so we can continue to serve the alumni of the Mountain West as they move forward into their next financial milestones and life stages.”

JMI Sports is proud to have facilitated this partnership, driving positive impacts for students, families, and communities around the Mountain West. Additionally, Credit Union 1 will closely collaborate with the Mountain West to explore new avenues for business growth across the Western United States.

“We are excited to bring together Credit Union 1 and the Mountain West in a partnership that not only enhances the fan experience but also provides valuable financial education to student-athletes,” said Senior Vice President (West) of JMI Sports Peter Thuresson. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to creating opportunities that positively impact both the athletes and the broader community.”

For more information on JMI Sports, a leading media rights and venue development company dedicated to transformative partnerships, please visit jmisports.com.

ABOUT CREDIT UNION 1
Credit Union 1 is celebrating more than 65 years of helping members reach their financial goals. CU1 is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative serving 120,000 members nationwide with 90,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 5,600 shared-branch locations. Credit Union 1 strives to exceed our members’ expectations by delivering innovative financial solutions and personalized member service to help achieve their maximum economic potential.

ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN WEST
From its inception in 1999, the Mountain West has been committed to excellence in intercollegiate athletics, while promoting the academic missions of its member institutions. Progressive in its approach, the Mountain West continues to cultivate opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level while fostering academic achievement and sportsmanship. Now in its 26th year, the MW has been assertive in its involvement with the NCAA governance structure and has taken a leadership role in the overall administration of intercollegiate athletics. The Mountain West membership is comprised of 11 all-sport members: United States Air Force Academy, Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Nevada, Reno, University of New Mexico, San Diego State University, San José State University, Utah State University and University of Wyoming. In addition, the University of Hawaiʻi, Manoa and Colorado College participate in the Mountain West as single-sport members in football and women’s soccer, respectively, and Washington State University participates in the Mountain West in women’s swimming and baseball.

ABOUT JMI SPORTS
JMI Sports is a leading media rights and venue development company that provides management of collegiate multimedia rights, sponsorship sales agency representation, and project management expertise for the development of collegiate and professional sports facilities. The company serves to maximize each client’s economic potential through customized initiatives, from marketing and branding solutions to facility design strategies.

JMI Sports’ signature collegiate multimedia rights partnerships include the University of Kentucky, the University of Utah, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Harvard University, DePaul University, Columbia University, San Diego State University, University of California at San Diego, and joint-venture properties of the University of Georgia (with Learfield), and University of Notre Dame (with Legends). JMI Sports also represents multimedia rights for several conferences, including the Ivy League, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Patriot League and the Atlantic 10, and serves as third-party sales representation for premier sports properties, venues and events, including the Breeders’ Cup, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, and the Penn Relays.

JMI Sports was founded in 2006 by CEO Erik Judson and technology entrepreneur John Moores, former owner of the San Diego Padres.

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