News
Hartford Athletics & The Aspire Group announce ticket sales partnership
August 9, 2018
ATLANTA, GA – The University of Hartford Department of Athletics and The Aspire Sport Marketing Group have agreed to a partnership focused on developing and executing the Hawks’ ticket sales initiatives. The Fan Relationship Management Center (FRMC) will be located on campus at the University of Hartford.
The FRMC will be responsible for all ticket sales, service and operations for the basketball, soccer, and lacrosse programs.
“We are excited to welcome The Aspire Group to the Hartford family.” said Mary Ellen Gillespie, Hartford Director of Athletics. “Aspire has a proven track record of increasing attendance while providing top notch service. Our fans will immediately notice an increased level of attention and appreciation for their support of Hartford Athletics.”
“We are proud to serve the Hawks and their fans for many years to come. The team that Mary Ellen Gillespie has installed is setting a solid foundation for an elevated fan experience at Hartford’s athletic events. Our fan-centric, localized approach of engaging fans and local Hartford area businesses will help create a better experience for both student-athletes and fans alike,” stated Connecticut-native Bill Fagan, Aspire’s Chief Operating Officer. Fagan is from Middletown, just south of Hartford, and grew up following Hartford Athletics.
Hartford is Aspire’s first partner in the America East Conference and sixth new on-site FRMC of 2018, joining the University of Connecticut FRMC, located just 30 miles from the University of Hartford, and 37 other collegiate and professional properties across the USA.
About Hartford Athletics
The University of Hartford Department of Athletics is a Division I Institution and a member of the America East Conference. The University sponsors 17 varsity programs and attracts over 300 student-athletes from over 20 states and more than 15 foreign countries who experience success both on and off the field. Hartford has won six of the last seven America East Academic Cup Championships for having the league’s highest cumulative GPA including each of the past two years. Hartford Athletics has a very rich history, which includes many professional athletes like Baseball Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, NBA All-Star Vin Baker, PGA Tour professional Jerry Kelly and many more.
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 225 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.