NDSU Jersey Patch Partnership an Investment in Community.

Partnership Built on Shared Values. 

For North Dakota State University, the logo that would appear alongside theirs on all athletic jerseys was more about who would be the right partner than anything else.

“This was very much about aligning with a company with similar values, that believes in North Dakota and gives back to the community,” said Matt Larsen, NDSU Director of Athletics. “The relationship with Gate City Bank has been beyond a transactional relationship. It’s been a friendship. It’s been a partnership, and we’re certainly appreciative of that.”

Despite all the changes NDSU has gone through over the years, Larsen said one thing that hasn’t changed is the level of support Gate City Bank has given Bison athletics, the entire campus and our community.

“Gate City Bank has been by our side for our entire Division I journey,” Larsen noted, adding that the bank has played an integral role in NDSU Athletics for years, including the creation of the Gate City Bank Fueling Station at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex, its longstanding sponsorship of Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome, home of Bison Football, and its capital investment in multiple facilities including the Nodak Insurance Company Football Performance Complex.

For Gate City Bank, the partnership is an investment in the community and in the future of North Dakota.

“For decades Gate City Bank and NDSU have worked together to make a positive impact, not only on campus, but throughout our region,” said Kevin Hanson, Gate City Bank President & CEO. “We’ve seen firsthand how NDSU develops future leaders, strengthens our workforce and helps build vibrant communities across North Dakota and beyond. As NDSU enters this new, exciting era, Gate City Bank is honored to be part of the journey. We’re grateful for the trust, the collaboration and the shared values that define this relationship.”

Tim Polasek, NDSU Football Head Coach, said the jersey patch partnership is a big deal and maintaining the uniforms’ tradition and look across the board in all sports is important.

“It was clear this wasn’t going to be a transactional negotiation for the most money possible,” Polasek said. “It was really critical for us to find the right partner. The relationship that we have is one that we value across all athletics, and we look forward to the future. It’s exciting.”  

Sponsorship to Support NDSU’s Transition to FBS.

Larsen said the sponsorship will be used to support NDSU’s transition from Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) – the highest group of Division I teams.

“For us to be able to stay competitive, we had to continue to evolve and invest at every step,” Larsen said. “We always talk about brand affiliation and wanting to partner with great businesses, so to be able to have the Gate City Bank logo next to the Bison logo is really powerful. Two great institutions in the state of North Dakota, side by side on the same jersey is really impressive. It speaks to our philosophy at NDSU and certainly Gate City Bank’s philosophy. It’s not about investing in one sport or two sports; it’s about investing in all of our sports.”

While Gate City Bank is proud to have its logo on NDSU’s uniforms, Hanson said it’s more about the investment the bank is making.

“It’s about making a difference in our communities,” Hanson said. “The students that are here are our future leaders. For us, it’s about giving back and investing in the future that supports our workforce.”