UTRGV expands partnership with Aspire after record-breaking ticket sales year

ATLANTA, GA – After executing The Aspire Sport Marketing Group’s comprehensive Ticket Marketing, Sales & Service (TiMSS^SM) strategy that resulted in a record-breaking ticket sales year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has elected to expand the partnership to include a Fan Relationship Management Center (FRMC^SM). The UTRGV Athletics FRMC will be responsible for new sales, service and retention, and ticket operations for all ticketed sports.

“The Aspire Group has been a critical part of our strategic vision since they joined our team in 2016 with consulting support,” said Chris King, Director of Athletics for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. “As we look to grow our athletic program in Rio Grande Valley, The Aspire Group will continue to be a vital component in generating revenue and improving attendance and the fan experience.”

“The dedication from the UTRGV leadership team is leading to an amazing transformation in the Valley,” said Bill Fagan, Chief Operating Officer for The Aspire Group. “The future is bright and we look forward to supporting UTRGV Athletics.”

CJ Wiatr, VP of Fan Relationship Management, will act as the liaison between Aspire and UTRGV. Wiatr currently manages 18 of Aspire’s 36 FRMCs, including Auburn University, the University of Kansas and Georgia Tech.

UTRGV is Aspire’s 18th partner to request additional services in 2017. In 2016, Aspire added 32 new partners to their portfolio of over 200 professional and collegiate properties, with over $200 million generated in ticket and related donation revenue.

 

About UTRGV Athletics

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas.  This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.

This past year, UTRGV Athletics set records for departmental cumulative grade point averaged (3.14) and community service hours completed (over 2,000). In the 66-year history of the athletic program, the department has won 16 national championships and 149 conference championships while making 86 postseason appearances. Sixty-nine student-athletes have earned All-American honors, 36 have been selected in the MLB Draft, and 18 have been picked in the NBA Draft.

About The Aspire Group

The Aspire Group is a global sports and entertainment marketing firm specializing in driving revenues, attendance and fan engagement through industry-leading ticket marketing, sales & customer service. Aspire created the outsourced ticketing niche, revolutionizing Intercollegiate Athletics with the first Fan Relationship Management Center (FRMC^SM) at Georgia Tech in 2009. Over 200 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 more information, visit www.theaspiregroupinc.com.

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