An exclusive sponsorship between the university and Domino’s pizza was announced Tuesday, as Domino’s was named the Official Pizza of FAMU athletics.
As the Official Pizza, Domino’s has sole rights to sell pizza and its Pizza Buffalo Chicken Kickers at Bragg Stadium and Gaither Gymnasium. The deal also allows them to sponsor athletic-related events such as half-court shoots for a new car and other contests at select games.
“Because it’s such a new thing for us we still have many kinks to work out,” said Director of Marketing Denise Parks. “Kenneth Plummer was very aggressive about approaching Dominos and he cut the deal with what would be the most advantageous for both FAMU and Domino’s.”
Domino’s will include its logo in various FAMU advertising programs as the company does joint advertising in the Tallahassee area. It will be the dominant presence at the volleyball and basketball games.
‘Obviously it’s a tremendous partner to have with our athletic department,” said men’s basketball coach Mike Gillespie. “It could add excitement and maybe even more revenue which are all positive things.”
Also included in the partnership is a literacy program. Each week a FAMU athlete will go to a local elementary school, read to students and then have a Domino’s pizza party.
“We are incredibly excited about this new partnership with FAMU athletics,” said Ray Williams, Domino’s Pizza franchisee and president of RW Enterprises, Inc. Williams oversees 10 Domino’s stores in Alabama, Florida and Louisiana. “Our customers are huge Rattlers fans and we’re excited to team with them.”
Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza was named “Chain of the Year” for 2003 by Pizza Today magazine and is also the Official Pizza of NASCAR.
“We are currently in the process of securing other deals with vendors, but that information can’t be released right now,” said Parks.
Dominique Drake can be reached at ddidis1@aol.com