CUs Score With National FootballGame

MAUI, Hi. - (01/24/05) -- The credit union brand was broadcastcoast to coast as never before on Saturday night during collegefootball's nationally televised all star game here--'the Hula Bowlbrought to you by America's Credit Unions'. CUNA's credit unionbrand was etched into the middle of the field, imprinted duringtelevision commercials and stamped on the jerseys of half the 100participating college players who were sponsored by their localcredit union. CUNA lobbyist Gary Kohn, who organized the creditunion sponsorhip, gushed with enthusiasm about the multi-yearsponsorship as he headed to a reception for past winners of theHeisman Trophy, awarded college's best player every year. "Theissue isn't the money that we helped raise," Kohn told The CreditUnion Journal from Maui. "The issue is that credit unions havedemonstrated their pride in their local athletes and theircommunities." Organizers of the annual game are crediting thecredit union participation with saving the debt-ridden event. In alittle over a month since striking the deal, credit unions kickedin more than $300,000 through sponsorships. Each sponsoring creditunion or credit union organization (CO-OP Network) had their logodisplayed on a patch on their player's uniform and received anautographed jersey to display in their credit union. Officials saidthe game, which was won by the East team 20-13, was a big successwith its highest attendance ever, more than 12,000.