NILES, Ohio – A local financial institution has secured its second naming rights deal with a regional sports venue.
Representatives of 717 Credit Union and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers baseball team announced Thursday that Eastwood Field, home of the MLB Draft League team, has been renamed 717 Credit Union Field at Eastwood.
“We are making our largest community investment in the Mahoning Valley with this partnership,” John Demmler, president and CEO of 717, said during a press and luncheon event at Eastwood Events Centre that drew more than 200 guests.
The credit union has already partnered with the Scrappers on other successful events, Demmler said, such as 717 Day at the Ballpark, in which the company purchases all of the tickets at the park and offers free attendance, usually held July 17. The event last season set an attendance record at the ballpark.
“It’s an exciting time during the season to see all of our community come together and enjoy an evening,” Demmler said. “We just wanted the community to come together, and we wanted to share what 717 could bring to the community as well.”
Details of the agreement were not disclosed.
“For almost 30 years, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers have been ingrained in the fabric of the Mahoning Valley,” said Jordan Taylor, executive vice president of the Scrappers. “717 Credit Union has been a partner with the Scrappers since our inaugural season in 1999. This is a truly impactful partnership for our team.”
Promotional events, fan experiences and ballpark improvements will be enhanced as a result of this new arrangement, Taylor added, and both are continuously working on new ways to partner each season.
Major League stars such as C.C. Sabathia and Jose Ramirez started their careers with the Scrappers. “Over 130 Scrappers have played in the Major Leagues,” Taylor said.
Demmler also announced a new program Thursday, the Valley First campaign. The program will offer those with auto loans at another institution the opportunity to refinance with 717 at an interest rate that is 2% lower than the customer is currently paying.
“Whatever your interest rate is on an auto loan with another financial institution, 717 will beat it by at least 2%,” he said. “It matters where you bank.”
The Eastwood Field announcement is the second naming rights agreement that 717 has secured within the past six months. In September, the credit union and the Akron RubberDucks minor league baseball team announced a deal that renamed its downtown ballpark 717 Credit Union Park.
The Akron RubberDucks are the AA affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.
The naming rights deal coincided with the credit union’s anticipated expansion in Akron and across northeastern Ohio.
In April, the company will begin branch expansions in Summit, Stark and Portage counties, Demmler said, as well as opening a branch in Akron. A second Akron branch is expected to open in May, followed by another branch in Stow in June.
“In July, we’ll be opening up flagship operations in Streetsboro,” he announced.
Pictured at top: John Demmler and Jordan Taylor.