GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota Athletics Department earned a national marketing award recently for its 2017 football season ticket campaign, receiving a Gold Medal in the Season Ticket Sales Campaign category from the National Association Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA).
 
The 2017-18 award winners were recognized during NACMA's annual convention in late June in Washington, D.C. Initiated in 2003, the NACMA "Best Of" awards program honors outstanding achievement in marketing and promotions. Awards were presented in 14 categories, with each category divided into three groups based upon school size and conference affiliations. Nearly 1,000 entries were submitted.
 
Following a record year for UND Athletics in 2016-17, including the football program's first Division I FCS postseason appearance, the marketing department went to work to capitalize on that success. The department launched the #PledgeYourLoyalty campaign across all sports, with initial release for the football program. "Pledge your loyalty" is a line in the school song Stand Up and Cheer and was turned into a call to action. The theme was used across all marketing platforms, including radio, television, print and social media.
 
The #PledgeYourLoyalty fooball season ticket campaign proved to be the most successful season ticket sales effort in school history, resulting in 1,333 new season tickets sold, an increase of 299 percent over the previous year and more than double the previous record of 649 that was set in 2010. The increase in season ticket sales also led to a record number of total season tickets at 5,625.
 
"The #PledgeYourLoyalty season ticket campaign was submitted by our football marketing contact, Alex Kroke, who led the effort," said UND Athletics Director Bill Chaves. "Alex was the driver, but there are so many other people who deserve credit, as these awards are judged on many things. Graphic designer Amy Chandler, football media relations director Ryan Powell, video production coordinator David Folske, and director of broadcast properties Paul Ralston all contributed to help North Dakota Athletics be recognized in this fashion. It wouldn't have been possible without each of them and their talents."
 
Click HERE for a complete list of 2017-18 "Best Of" award winners.