Southwest Health Commits to 5-Year Corporate Partnership with Pioneer Athletics
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today the extension and enhancement of its relationship with Southwest Health of Platteville. This enhanced partnership places Southwest Health as a Premier Corporate Partner and Pioneer Athletics' preferred orthopedic provider for the next five years. The centerpiece of this agreement recognizes a partnership between two entities focused on providing a transformational student-athlete experience.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today the extension and enhancement of its relationship with Southwest Health of Platteville. This enhanced partnership places Southwest Health as a Premier Corporate Partner and Pioneer Athletics' preferred orthopedic provider for the next five years. The centerpiece of this agreement recognizes a partnership between two entities focused on providing a transformational student-athlete experience.
Since new Assistant Chancellor and Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Kristina Navarro's arrival in May, the department has been led with an intentional focus on three main pillars to forward and demonstrate the value athletics bring to campus and the importance of the student-athlete experience. The three central pillars of the department's renewed mission include: providing a transformational student-athlete experience, increasing philanthropic and corporate support and fostering a culture of competitive excellence.
"We are elated to bring Southwest Health onboard as our Premier level corporate partner and preferred orthopedic partner for Pioneer Athletics," said Navarro. "We look forward to working together to support our student-athletes. This partnership aligns with our central mission of providing a transformational experience for student-athletes via intentional and holistic healthcare that will produce a culture of competitive excellence. Southwest Health's financial support allows us to enhance resources, but most importantly solidifies a relationship between UW-Platteville Athletics and the leading orthopedic center in Wisconsin which cares for many of our student-athletes throughout their athletic careers."
"We have long been a partner with UWP Athletics and are especially excited now to take a new leadership role in supporting and celebrating the achievements of student-athletes while enhancing their experiences. As the leader in healthcare in our region, we understand the importance of having outstanding opportunities to participate and succeed. We feel privileged to be part of this new vision for UWP Athletics." said Southwest Health CEO Dan Rohrbach.
Beyond the Pioneer Athletics' preferred orthopedic provider, Southwest Health has committed to investing in the department's culture of competitive excellence as the title sponsor of the Sharpen the Axe staff professional development program. The program is housed within the department's new initiative, the Pioneer Leadership Institute.
Finally, the renewed partnership with Southwest Health will enhance the gameday experience as a lead contributor to a new Daktronics digital scoreboard in Bo Ryan Court, Williams Fieldhouse.
"The Southwest Health brand, their values and vision for growth in the Tri-State area is an ideal fit for UW-Platteville Athletics," said Jeff Gard, Head Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Corporate Sponsorships. "This new partnership is a catalyst for our athletic department initiative, which will assist in ensuring the already promising future of our athletic programs and the enhanced game day experience for Pioneer faithful. On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and the entire Pioneer Nation, we want to thank CEO Dan Rohrbach and Southwest Health for this exciting opportunity."
About Southwest Health:
With eyes firmly focused on the healthcare needs of Platteville and southwest Wisconsin, Southwest Health's vision of creating a healthier southwest Wisconsin and their ever-growing range of quality healthcare services are both indicative of the organization's enduring commitment to advancing the health and well-being of the local community. Building lasting relationships throughout the area is a fundamental priority for this Platteville-area health system. Since 2005 with the opening of the new state-of-the-art facility off Highway 151 in Platteville, Southwest Health has steadily advanced the depth and breadth and quality of healthcare in southwest Wisconsin. It's many expansions to facilities and staff and programs include the Orthopedic Institute, led by Dr. Joshua Lindsey, with a remarkable staff of professionals offering the region's most advanced bone, joint, and sports medicine care. The institute is central in recruiting the finest student-athletes to UW-Platteville.
About UW-Platteville Athletics:
The Pioneer athletics department is comprised of 16 NCAA Division III sponsored sport programs representing nearly 600 student-athletes each year. The department's mission is focused on the development of partnerships with campus and the greater community to support intentional recruitment opportunities of future student-athletes and develop meaningful relationships between past, present and future Pioneers. The long-established partnership between Southwest Health and UW-Platteville athletics will continue to benefit the recruiting process for future generations while enhancing the student-athlete experience of every Pioneer.
New Corporate Partnership Structure:
Premier Partner: Corporate partners contributing $15,000 or more annually
Distinguished Partner: Corporate partners contributing between $10,000-$14,999 annually
Supporting Partner: Corporate partners contributing between $5,000-$9,999 annually
Contributing Partner: Corporate partners contributing between $1-$4,999 annually
If interested in learning more about Pioneer Athletics' enhanced corporate partnership model and the new experientially driven opportunities, contact Associate Athletic Director and Chief of Staff, Michael Salm (salmm@uwplatt.edu).