Springfield, Ill. – The University of Illinois Springfield Athletics is excited to announce a new partnership with Hy-Vee, Inc. Opened in the spring of 2014 and currently employing more than 400 staff members, the local supermarket is a staple of the Springfield community. This partnership will be mutually beneficial for both sides moving forward.

Hy-Vee will partake in a sponsorship to support UIS student-athletes scholarships. UIS now sponsors 15 intercollegiate sports with the addition of Track & Field and Cross Country in the fall of 2015. 202 student-athletes currently represent the Prairie Stars during this academic year. Hy-Vee will also be catering the dinner for the annual Stars Club Golf Classic on June 2^nd at Piper Glen Golf Course and serving as a secondary sponsor for the event. Hy-Vee will be seen throughout 2016-17 athletic events as gift cards will be won by UIS students, fans alums, etc. during marketing promotions at home events.

The recognizable brand will also be seen on the basketball goal posts within The Recreation and Athletics Center. UIS hosted 3 IHSA Super-Sectional basketball events this year that drew nearly 2,000 spectators a game on top of the men's and women's Division II basketball schedules. This unique signage provides Hy-Vee the opportunity to be seen throughout the Springfield community and by visiting fans as well.

UIS Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, Paul Kabbes, has increasingly high hopes for this partnership. "We are thrilled to begin this relationship with Hy-Vee and store director Kyle Thornsbrough. This is a first class brand that we look forward to aligning our Athletics Department and University with beginning this year. Their commitment to serving the community is very admirable and they provide a great benefit to the city of Springfield. UIS Athletics is appreciative of their direct support of our 202 student-athletes through this partnership and we hope all our fans, alums, employees, and students embrace this partnership moving forward."

With more than 230 supermarkets throughout the Midwest United States, and with yearly sales of more than $8.7 billion, Hy-Vee is a full-service supermarket that offers natural and organic products in addition to national brands. Hy-Vee ranks among the top 25 supermarket chains and the top 50 private companies in the United States.  Hy-Vee aims to make customers lives "easier, healthier and happier." For more information on this great new partner of UIS Athletics, visit www.hy-vee.com.