Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan Athletics, University Bank Announce Landmark Branding Agreement
6/29/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football, General
University Bank becomes the first brand featured on EMU's gray turf
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — University Bank and Eastern Michigan University Athletics, in conjunction with Learfield's Eastern Michigan Sports Properties, announced today, June 29, a multiyear partnership that will make University Bank the first brand featured on Maxx Crosby Field at Rynearson Stadium's iconic gray turf.
Beginning with Eastern Michigan's home opener against Sacramento State University, Aug. 29, the University Bank logo will be displayed at both 25-yard lines, marking the first on-field commercial branding agreement in the stadium's history.
Since 2014, Rynearson Stadium's gray turf has served as a defining symbol of Eastern Michigan football. Introduced as the centerpiece of "The Factory," the program's blue-collar identity, inspired by the manufacturing heritage of Southeast Michigan, reflects the hard work, toughness, and resilience that have become hallmarks of the Eagles. As the first gray playing surface in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the field has earned national attention as one of the most distinctive venues in college football.
"Our gray turf is more than a playing surface. It's a symbol of who we are as a program and a community," said Eastern Michigan Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "For more than a decade, it has represented the blue-collar values that define Eastern Michigan football and Southeast Michigan. University Bank's commitment to Ypsilanti reflects those same values, making this a natural partnership and a meaningful milestone as the first brand represented on one of college football's most distinctive fields."
The agreement creates a new revenue opportunity for Eastern Michigan Athletics while providing University Bank with a prominent presence on one of the most recognizable surfaces in college athletics.
In addition to on-field branding, University Bank will receive visibility through television broadcasts, social and digital media platforms, in-venue signage, and community engagement initiatives throughout the year. The partnership also includes branding opportunities at George Gervin GameAbove Center and special events featuring Eastern Michigan student-athletes.
"University Bank has long had a goal of strengthening the Ypsilanti community. It was our efforts in the 1990s that broke the redlining still occurring in Ypsilanti at the time. We've donated over a million dollars to help first-time homeowners achieve their dream of homeownership. Now we want to help assist with EMU's turnaround under its new President, Dr. Brendan Kelly. As Ypsilanti's biggest economic engine, EMU is critical to the long-term success of the city. This partnership allows us to show up for the community in a meaningful, visible way — not just on game day, but all year long," said Stephen Lange Ranzini, CEO & President of University Bank. "We're excited to support Eastern Athletics and to continue building programs that uplift students, families, and local businesses in Ypsilanti."
"Working together with Eastern Athletics, we're proud to help bring this opportunity to life on a field that has been home to the football program since 1969," said Greg Kalikas, General Manager of Eastern Michigan Sports Properties. "This collaboration not only delivers meaningful exposure for University Bank, but also reinforces our commitment to connecting strong local partners with the passion and loyalty of the Eastern fan base."
Eastern Michigan Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield, serves as the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Eastern Michigan Athletics and manages sponsorships, in-venue signage, and advertising on behalf of the university.
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and stands as one of the league's most successful programs. EMU has captured 159 MAC team championships, the most of any current conference member during that span. A representative from Eastern Michigan has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1960. Since 1932, EMU has claimed 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles. Eastern Michigan also owns some of the nation's most notable NCAA Championship performances, including a runner-up finish in baseball at the 1976 College World Series and a tied-for-third finish by women's golf at the 2026 NCAA Championships, the highest national finish by a women's team in school history. For more information, visit EMUEagles.com.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is the second-oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 12,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professions. More than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations are offered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its Graduate School. EMU is nationally recognized for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. With a strong focus on career readiness, the University equips students with the skills, experiences, and professional networks needed to thrive in today's workforce. Through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and personalized support, EMU prepares graduates to launch meaningful careers and make an impact in their communities. Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For additional information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
About University Bank
University Bank together with its Michigan-based subsidiaries, holds and manages a total of over $35 billion in financial assets for over 180,000 customers, and our 533 employees make us the 5th largest bank based in Michigan. University Bank is an FDIC-insured, locally owned and managed community bank, and meets the financial needs of its community through its quality, creative, and innovative services. University Bank's Ypsilanti branch is located downtown at 301 West Michigan Avenue.
Founded in 1890, University Bank® is the 15th oldest bank headquartered in Michigan. We are proud to have been selected as the "Community Bankers of the Year" by American Banker magazine, as the recipient of the American Bankers Association's Community Bank Award, and as a USA TODAY Top Workplace. University Bank is a Member FDIC. The members of University Bank's corporate family, ranked by their size of revenues, are:
• University Lending Group, a retail residential mortgage originator based in Clinton Township, Mich.;
• UIF, a faith-based banking firm based in Southfield, Mich.;
• Midwest Loan Services, a residential mortgage subservicer based in Houghton, Mich;
• Community Banking, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., which provides traditional community banking services and wealth management;
• Ann Arbor Insurance Centre, an independent insurance agency based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
• Mortgage Warehouse Lending, a mortgage warehouse lender based in Southfield, Mich.
In addition, University Bank owns 49.999% of Credit Union Trust, a trust bank and wealth manager based in Troy, Mich.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep dataset and industry relationships to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
Beginning with Eastern Michigan's home opener against Sacramento State University, Aug. 29, the University Bank logo will be displayed at both 25-yard lines, marking the first on-field commercial branding agreement in the stadium's history.
Since 2014, Rynearson Stadium's gray turf has served as a defining symbol of Eastern Michigan football. Introduced as the centerpiece of "The Factory," the program's blue-collar identity, inspired by the manufacturing heritage of Southeast Michigan, reflects the hard work, toughness, and resilience that have become hallmarks of the Eagles. As the first gray playing surface in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the field has earned national attention as one of the most distinctive venues in college football.
"Our gray turf is more than a playing surface. It's a symbol of who we are as a program and a community," said Eastern Michigan Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "For more than a decade, it has represented the blue-collar values that define Eastern Michigan football and Southeast Michigan. University Bank's commitment to Ypsilanti reflects those same values, making this a natural partnership and a meaningful milestone as the first brand represented on one of college football's most distinctive fields."
The agreement creates a new revenue opportunity for Eastern Michigan Athletics while providing University Bank with a prominent presence on one of the most recognizable surfaces in college athletics.
In addition to on-field branding, University Bank will receive visibility through television broadcasts, social and digital media platforms, in-venue signage, and community engagement initiatives throughout the year. The partnership also includes branding opportunities at George Gervin GameAbove Center and special events featuring Eastern Michigan student-athletes.
"University Bank has long had a goal of strengthening the Ypsilanti community. It was our efforts in the 1990s that broke the redlining still occurring in Ypsilanti at the time. We've donated over a million dollars to help first-time homeowners achieve their dream of homeownership. Now we want to help assist with EMU's turnaround under its new President, Dr. Brendan Kelly. As Ypsilanti's biggest economic engine, EMU is critical to the long-term success of the city. This partnership allows us to show up for the community in a meaningful, visible way — not just on game day, but all year long," said Stephen Lange Ranzini, CEO & President of University Bank. "We're excited to support Eastern Athletics and to continue building programs that uplift students, families, and local businesses in Ypsilanti."
"Working together with Eastern Athletics, we're proud to help bring this opportunity to life on a field that has been home to the football program since 1969," said Greg Kalikas, General Manager of Eastern Michigan Sports Properties. "This collaboration not only delivers meaningful exposure for University Bank, but also reinforces our commitment to connecting strong local partners with the passion and loyalty of the Eastern fan base."
Eastern Michigan Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield, serves as the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Eastern Michigan Athletics and manages sponsorships, in-venue signage, and advertising on behalf of the university.
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and stands as one of the league's most successful programs. EMU has captured 159 MAC team championships, the most of any current conference member during that span. A representative from Eastern Michigan has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1960. Since 1932, EMU has claimed 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles. Eastern Michigan also owns some of the nation's most notable NCAA Championship performances, including a runner-up finish in baseball at the 1976 College World Series and a tied-for-third finish by women's golf at the 2026 NCAA Championships, the highest national finish by a women's team in school history. For more information, visit EMUEagles.com.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is the second-oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 12,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professions. More than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations are offered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its Graduate School. EMU is nationally recognized for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. With a strong focus on career readiness, the University equips students with the skills, experiences, and professional networks needed to thrive in today's workforce. Through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and personalized support, EMU prepares graduates to launch meaningful careers and make an impact in their communities. Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For additional information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
About University Bank
University Bank together with its Michigan-based subsidiaries, holds and manages a total of over $35 billion in financial assets for over 180,000 customers, and our 533 employees make us the 5th largest bank based in Michigan. University Bank is an FDIC-insured, locally owned and managed community bank, and meets the financial needs of its community through its quality, creative, and innovative services. University Bank's Ypsilanti branch is located downtown at 301 West Michigan Avenue.
Founded in 1890, University Bank® is the 15th oldest bank headquartered in Michigan. We are proud to have been selected as the "Community Bankers of the Year" by American Banker magazine, as the recipient of the American Bankers Association's Community Bank Award, and as a USA TODAY Top Workplace. University Bank is a Member FDIC. The members of University Bank's corporate family, ranked by their size of revenues, are:
• University Lending Group, a retail residential mortgage originator based in Clinton Township, Mich.;
• UIF, a faith-based banking firm based in Southfield, Mich.;
• Midwest Loan Services, a residential mortgage subservicer based in Houghton, Mich;
• Community Banking, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., which provides traditional community banking services and wealth management;
• Ann Arbor Insurance Centre, an independent insurance agency based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
• Mortgage Warehouse Lending, a mortgage warehouse lender based in Southfield, Mich.
In addition, University Bank owns 49.999% of Credit Union Trust, a trust bank and wealth manager based in Troy, Mich.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep dataset and industry relationships to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
Fifth Annual EMU Football Cruise Night
Wednesday, June 17
National Mascot Day - 2026
Wednesday, June 17
Jim Streeter - MAC Hall of Fame Induction Video
Wednesday, May 27
Jim Streeter’s Lifetime of Service Earns MAC Hall of Fame Honor
Wednesday, May 27