INA, Ill. (Aug. 29, 2023) – Rend Lake College (RLC), a nationally accredited community college in Southern Illinois, and Banterra Bank, one of the nation’s largest community banks, announced a 10-year naming-rights agreement on Tuesday, Aug. 29. The Banterra Sports Complex at RLC will house Waugh Gymnasium where the Warriors basketball and volleyball teams play. Banterra’s $1 million sponsorship agreement, which includes a renewal option and $100,000 annual payments, is the largest in RLC history. It’s also the first corporate naming-rights agreement for the college in over two decades. The sponsorship is also the largest contribution to The Game Plan — Rend Lake College Foundation’s $6.5 million capital campaign to renovate the athletic facilities at Waugh Gym.
President Terry Wilkerson speaks during the press conference announcing the new Banterra Sports Complex at Rend Lake College.
“Having a state-of-the-art, renovated facility for our Rend Lake College Warriors, students and fans will be a tremendous enhancement to our campus and region,” said Terry Wilkerson, President of Rend Lake College. “Banterra Bank has been a great partner for us and not only do we appreciate their generous contribution, we also appreciate them for serving as the lead gift in The Game Plan.”
The renovations for the Banterra Sports Complex will include approximately 5,688 square feet of additional space for a new entry way/lobby, concessions, training room and new restrooms. The existing 32,000 square feet will be renovated to include new digital scoreboards, scorers’ bench, locker rooms, office space and more. The agreement includes a Banterra Sports Complex logo that will be shown on the building’s exterior and gym floor, as well as in various marketing opportunities. The current facility brings in nearly 70,000 people annually.
Banterra’s agreement with RLC includes not only brand exposure for Banterra Sports Complex, both on-campus and in marketing, but expanded Banterra brand opportunities with the college. These include RLCF events and student-recognition programs such as Career Connections, Banterra Student of the Month and Fun Fest.
FROM LEFT; RLC Foundation Major Gift Officer Dawn Johnson and Assistant Director of Development Amy Newell; RLCF Board President Tony Wielt; RLC President Terry Wilkerson; Banterra Bank President & CEO Jeff May and Market Executive Jeff Speith; RLC Executive Director of Administrative Services Cathy DeJarnette and Athletic Director Tim Wills.
“It is critical for Southern Illinois to have affordable higher education options and in fields that are needed for economic development in our region,” said Jeff May, President & CEO of Banterra Bank. “Rend Lake College is dedicated to education, training and real-life experience in industries such as agriculture, trades/manufacturing, nursing, technology, and culinary arts, all which are important to our area. With Banterra’s strong presence in Southern Illinois, we know Rend Lake College’s enrollment are students in our footprint and we want to support programs that recognize them and any enhancement to their campus experience.”
While Banterra has secured the rights to the Sports Complex, other Major Gift naming opportunities are available, including the Event Center, Lobby Entrance, All-American Wall of Fame, Tim Wills Coaches Corner, Training Room, Hall of Fame Corridor, Sports Walls of Fame, Concessions, Locker Rooms, and tributes to coaches Arnold, Waugh, McClure and Haskins.
“With these renovations, RLC student-athletes will have access to fantastic, updated athletic facilities, allowing them to excel both on and off the court,” said Cathy DeJarnette, Executive Director of Administrative Services at RLC. “Banterra Bank's generous contribution will not only impact current students but also those that come after them, securing a strong future for Rend Lake College as a premier location for sports.”
Construction is estimated to start in Fall 2024 and a goal to complete by December 2025. Companies and donors who are interested in supporting Rend Lake College Foundation’s capital campaign should contact Major Gift Officer Dawn Johnson at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1213, or by email at johnsond@rlc.edu. A website is also available for supporters to donate and learn more about The Game Plan. Visit rlc.edu/gameplan.
Student-athletes from Warriors basketball and volleyball pose for a photo with representatives of Rend Lake College and Banterra Bank.
About Rend Lake College
Student journeys have started at Rend Lake College since 1955, when it was originally founded as Mt. Vernon Community College before its transformation to Rend Lake College in 1967. The college sits about 12 miles south of the intersection of Interstates 57 and 64 and covers a total of 1,850 square miles. Rend Lake College serves all or parts of eight counties, including the major portions of Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, and Perry counties.
Rend Lake College offers more than 100 associate degrees and occupational certificates for students wanting to earn a transfer degree or learn a skill or trade. Agriculture, welding, culinary arts, nursing, computers and many more career programs are available, plus transferable associate degrees for students seeking a bachelor’s degree.
About Rend Lake College Warriors and Banterra Sports Complex
Rend Lake College is a member of the Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Rend Lake College Warrior and Lady Warrior teams compete in archery, men and women’s basketball, baseball, men and women’s golf, softball, trapshooting, and women’s volleyball. The 2021-2022 Warriors’ basketball team was named NJCAA Academic Team of the Year, finishing with a collective of 3.61 GPA. In 2013, the Warrior men's basketball team won the Division II national championship.
The planned Banterra Sports Complex at Rend Lake College will include the existing James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium as well as a new addition to the space. Waugh Gymnasium is one of the original buildings on the college’s campus and in 1995 was named after Waugh, a long-time coach and educator with nearly 50 combined athletic seasons to his credit when he retired. In addition to the gym, it includes athletic offices and locker rooms.
About Banterra Bank
Banterra Bank began as a single bank in Ridgway, Illinois in July of 1975. Today, Banterra has $3 billion in assets and is ranked in the Top Eight Percent of U.S. Charter Banks and Top Five Percent for Illinois Charter Banks, according to asset size. Banterra has 40 locations in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Utah. In addition to offering a variety of personal and business banking products, Banterra provides services nationwide through specialty lending divisions including Aircraft Finance, Machine Tool Finance, Corporate, Transportation and RV and Marine Lending as well as specific regional lending for Agriculture and Healthcare industry needs. Banterra also offers Banterra Insurance and Investment services. For more information, call 866-BANTERRA (226-8377), or go to www.banterra.bank.