estes logo

Athletics

VMI Athletics partners with Estes in multi-year sponsorship

LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Director of Athletics Jamaal Walton announced Saturday a multi-year agreement has been reached with Estes Express Lines in support of VMI Athletics.
 
In exchange for financial support, the Estes logos will be displayed prominently in two separate areas of the arena floor at Cameron Hall for increased corporate exposure both for those in attendance at VMI Basketball games and those watching the Keydets on live ESPN+ broadcasts.
 
"Estes is a company built on values and a company dedicated to building strong relationships with the people they serve," Walton said. "At Estes, going the extra mile isn't just what they do - it's who they are. This commitment from Estes is a true example of going the extra mile, and I'm grateful for their support. This partnership will boost the Estes brand on live ESPN+ broadcasts, and I'm hopeful this exposure provides viewers the opportunity to learn more about the company.
 
"Personally, the Hupp family has impacted me during my time as a cadet. Mr. Billy Hupp '77 was my scholarship donor; his commitment provided me the opportunity to attend VMI and graduate from the Institute in 2007. Now as the Athletics Director at VMI, I have the opportunity to make an impact on a cadet's life and my teammates alongside me are the Hupp Family. The Walton family is forever grateful to the Hupp family; their commitment to VMI is second to none. Rah Virginia Mil!"
 
College basketball on-court sponsors have been allowed since the 1995-96 season, but in the NIL era the adoption of court sponsors has ramped up as college athletic departments look for additional revenue to support programs and players.
 
"For partnerships that involve opportunities like being a part of any VMI Athletics playing surface, we really want to align ourselves with companies that share similar principles and goals to VMI as an Institution, and Estes Express Lines checked all those boxes," said VMI Assistant Athletic Director for Corporate Partnerships Blake Brinkley. "The Hupp family has a proud history with VMI as alumni and also a long, high standing in Estes Express Lines, with Steve Hupp '84 as CFO and Corporate Secretary and Billy Hupp '77 as Executive VP and Vice Chairman of the Board.
 
"We wanted to find a unique way for Estes to partner with VMI Athletics, and Estes is the type of business we want our major partners to be. With that, we believe this partnership continues to aid the great Hupp Family history at VMI while solidifying our partnership with Estes Express Lines."
 
The Hupp Family is equally appreciative of the partnership.
 
"We are proud to continue the Hupp Family's support of VMI and VMI Athletics that has lasted for three generations over the last 86 years, beginning with our father, H. Thomas Hupp, Jr. '44, matriculation to VMI from Chase City, Virginia in August 1940," said Steve Hupp '84. "His strong and passionate support of VMI and VMI Athletics for the rest of his life showed all of us how much he loved VMI and how appreciative he was of how VMI changed his life and helped him survive being a POW in World War II. He also spent the last 33 years of his career helping to build Estes Express Lines into one of the premier transportation companies in America.
 
"We are proud to have spent our careers building on his foundation at Estes, instilling the same principles we all learned at VMI – honor, integrity, community support, teamwork and respect of others. Because of these common goals and principles, we have many VMI Alumni as part of the great Estes team today and we see common alignment between Estes and VMI. This corporate sponsorship and partnership with VMI Basketball is another example of the Estes Team making it a priority to support our community and reflect our commitment to higher education."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Print Friendly Version