CARBONDALE (WSIL) â€� Since it was finished in 1964, it has been known as the SIU Arena. Â
That changed Thursday.
SIU and Banterra Bank announced a 10-year agreement that will rename the Arena the Banterra Center. That agreement includes a $4-million guarantee in the first 10 years and has a mutual 10-year extension option. The total value could reach $10-million for the university, the largest corporate naming-rights agreement in school history.
"When we look down the road 10 years from now, I guarantee you this day will be the difference in Saluki Basketball," said SIU athletic director Jerry Kill.
While SIU will get an infusion of much needed cash, and Banterra will get significant exposure, both Kill and Banterra President and CEO Jeff May believe this agreement will have a greater impact than just on athletics.
"SIU is a critical economic engine for the region," May said. "The main reason our Banterra board chose to do this, we saw this decision as an investment in the positive influence on our region’s economy and its growth. We are all citizens of ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois."
"This is just not about athletics," Kill said. "It’s about our region, and people coming together.  They’ve taken the step out.  That’s what I call blind faith.  Our vision is to be the best at everything we here at ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois."
Another major part of the deal is the start of an Saluki Athletics branded debit card.  Portions of the profits will go toward a newly established Banterra-SIU Scholarship fund.
Kill said this deal could help open the door for future naming-rights agreements on other athletic venues, such as Saluki Stadium.
