SIU Arena now Banterra Center

Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Banterra Bank, the region’s largest, locally owned bank, on May 16 announced a 10-year naming-rights agreement that will rebrand SIU Arena as Banterra Center.  

The multi-million-dollar agreement, which includes a 10-year extension option, annual payments plus an affinity program, offers up to $10 million for SIU, with a $4-million guarantee for the first 10 years.  

The partnership is the largest corporate naming-rights agreement in SIU’s 150-year history and the first naming right for the 55-year-old arena.

In addition to signage, advertising and promotional opportunities, the agreement includes exclusive rights to an SIU Athletics-branded affinity debit card through Banterra Bank.  

Profits from the debit card initiative, which is still in development, will go to a newly established Banterra-SIU Scholarship Fund.

“The partnership represents Banterra’s commitment to the success of the university, our athletics program and the region,” SIU chancellor John M. Dunn said in a news release. 

“We’re deeply grateful for Banterra’s generous financial commitment, which includes scholarship support for student-athletes. The Banterra Center will continue to be at the heart of our men’s and women’s basketball programs, attracting fans, community members and many others who support Saluki athletics.”

The naming rights partnership comes following SIU’s recent announcement of hiring men’s basketball coach Bryan Mullins.

“We’ve sponsored SIU Athletics for 10 years, because we know the value of having this university in our region and the number of passionate, loyal Saluki fans among our four-state footprint and beyond,” said Jeff May, president and CEO of Banterra Bank. 

“We’re proud to have our Banterra name on an iconic facility such as SIU Arena, to take our partnership to an entirely new level with SIU Athletics, and to have an ongoing reminder that our company truly takes care of our communities.” 

SIU athletic director Jerry Kill led the efforts to get SIU’s first corporate naming-right partner in the university’s 150-year history.  

Kill said the partnership with Banterra serves as a strong example of future naming-right opportunities for SIU’s athletic venues.

“As we sought out a naming rights partner, it needed to be a company that aligned with our core values and had the brand power to take us to the next level,” said Kill. 

“I knew after our first meeting with Banterra’s leadership that this was a group that we wanted on our team. Both Saluki Athletics and Banterra are going to make the most of this partnership to benefit our students-athletes, customers and fans.”

Working alongside Kill and the entire athletics administration is Saluki Sports Properties, which played an integral role in helping Banterra elevate its relationship. 

As the university’s athletics multimedia-rights holder and local Learfield IMG College team, Saluki Sports Properties oversees athletics’ corporate partner program and has worked closely with Banterra Bank over the past ten years.

The community can expect to see updated signage with a new Banterra Center logo on arena exterior, interior, and marquee sign as well as other marketing efforts for traditional and digital advertising, promotion and business development, Kill said.  

The marketing efforts were set to begin immediately following the May 16 announcement.

SIU Arena’s construction began in 1962, and was completed in 1964 at an original cost of $4.3 million.  

The 8,284-seat, multi-use facility received a $29.9 million renovation that was performed in phases over a 15-month time span and completed in 2010.  

The arena is home for SIU Saluki men and women’s basketball, as well as ongoing events and it has a rich history of presenting concerts to the region.

The arena is also used for SIU graduation, youth basketball camps, high school tournaments and other ongoing events.

Banterra Bank  began as a single bank in Ridgway, Illinois in July of 1975.  

Today, Banterra has nearly $2 billion in assets.  Banterra has 40 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Arizona.