Geo Fields
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Pelican’s Snoballs is the newest partner for Winthrop University Athletics, joining more than 50 businesses that sponsor the university’s sports teams. 

Pelican’s owner Zachery Germann says he has made it his mission to get involved in the Winthrop community as much as possible.

Germann said the university has given him unrestricted access to events, with the store being so close to the school.

“I figured, you don’t get Rock Hill without Winthrop, you don’t get Winthrop without Rock Hill. So, there’s no excuse for Pelican’s to not try to be on campus as much as possible,” he said. 

The partnership with Pelican’s was facilitated through the work of Megan Thoroman, an intern with the athletics department. 

“I started this summer, just reaching out to local businesses and trying to find people that wanted to collaborate with Winthrop Athletics,” Thoroman said. 

“This is technically a college town and having businesses work in unison with the university – specifically the athletics – and so, it’s kind of how I found Pelican’s.”

Tommy Henry, the assistant athletic director of external affairs, says that sponsorships are primarily used to generate revenue through various ways.

“You know, companies that pay us to advertise and promote their brand, whether it’s through venue signage or social posts, email ads, in-game promotions – things like that,” Henry said. 

“The Pelican’s partnership and a few others that we have, is a little bit more unique in that… secondarily, and one of our primary focuses, is to improve the fan experience here.”

Thus, the goal of partnerships like this one is to collaborate with local businesses and Winthrop believes that concessions, food and giveaways are essential ways to encourage attendance and give guests the best experience possible.

Germann said he anticipates Pelican’s Snoballs will be available at various soccer, volleyball and basketball games in the fall.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said.

He said this opportunity for his business will likely continue into the spring season, as well.