SIUE Athletics, First Community Credit Union Announce Groundbreaking Partnership Expansion

SIUE Athletics, First Community Credit Union Announce Groundbreaking Partnership Expansion

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and SIUE Athletics announced a groundbreaking partnership expansion with First Community Credit Union. First Community will be featured as the exclusive jersey partner for eight of SIUE's teams, including men's and women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's soccer, wrestling, softball, and baseball.

The expanded relationship with First Community will provide meaningful support for the student-athlete experience at SIUE, in and out of competition.

With this announcement, SIUE becomes the first Ohio Valley Conference institution to announce a jersey partnership.

Earlier this year, the NCAA Division I Cabinet approved a proposal that will allow Division I sports programs to place additional commercial logos or patches on uniforms, equipment and apparel, effective Aug. 1, 2026.

"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with First Community Credit Union in a historic way," said Andrew Gavin, Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics. "Our relationship with the team at FCCU has been so important to SIUE, and their interest in doubling down on that support reflects the upward trajectory of their company, our University, and our community. The support from First Community is meaningful and impactful as we invest in high-level Division I athletics in the Metro East and provide a first-class experience for our student-athletes."

First Community Credit Union has long been a significant partner of SIUE Athletics. Most notably, in 2019, SIUE and FCCU announced a naming rights partnership for First Community Arena. First Community Arena is the home of the Cougars' basketball, volleyball, and wrestling programs and welcomes thousands annually for SIUE's Commencement ceremonies.

"We jumped at the chance to have our logo on the uniforms, but it is more than that," said Glenn D. Barks, President/CEO of First Community. "It is about our investment in SIUE and our local presence. This partnership builds on our commitment to the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon community. We already have two branch locations in Glen Carbon and an ATM in First Community Arena, and we're excited to strengthen our presence on campus. We are not new to the St. Louis Metro East. We have been here for decades and are committed to staying, having just opened a new full-service branch in O'Fallon and planning to open an Illinois Call Center this fall. For us, it is all about our members. We want to meet them where they live, work, and spend their time. We are proud to support SIUE because we believe in what they are doing, and their athletic program is a huge part of that."

The historic partnership expansion spans beyond just the arena and uniforms, as First Community Credit Union's brand visibility will increase on campus and in the community. FCCU will have an exclusive presence at New Student Convocation, hosted each August at First Community Arena.

Additionally, community members will see FCCU's support beginning this fall with the Edwardsville YMCA's Junior Cougars programming.

First Community is a not-for-profit, full-service financial institution in business since 1934. With over 5 billion in assets and nearly 400,000 members, it is in the top 100 credit unions in the nation and is the largest credit union headquartered in Missouri. First Community offers a wide array of financial products and services for individuals and businesses, including checking and savings, home loans, consumer loans, commercial loans, investment services, and insurance. It serves all persons living and working in the Illinois counties of Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair, and the Missouri communities of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, and Warren County.

FIRST COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION