Yesterday, the University of Cincinnati announced a long-term partnership with TQL that will include a large contribution to the University of Cincinnati’s Day One Ready Campaign. Some may ask, what does this mean for the University of Cincinnati? Well let’s break down this partnership for what we know so far.
“Today, we connect with one of the top business brands in Cincinnati, in TQL. A company that embraced the city of Cincinnati, in its grit, hard work, and growth mindset. We enhance our university through a natural connection, the workforce of TQL that employes 700 Bearcat Alumni,” said athletic director John Cunningham. “This partnership changes the lives of our student athletes by direct support of a brand-new facility that will be one of the best in the country, that will help us recruit the next great Bearcat”.
Kerry Byrne, the president of TQL is a familiar name around the University of Cincinnati. Byrne, was a former outfield for the University of Cincinnati Bearcat’s Baseball team, where he graduated in 1987. Byrne, is also a board member of UC Health, Cincinnati Regioal Business Committee. Bryne, also sits on the Dean’s Business advisory Council for the University of Cincinnati’s Lindner College of Business.
“We are very excited about this new partnership, we are really excited to have the ability to provide resources to UC Athletics so that they can compete on day one, once they enter the Big 12,” said TQL president Kerry Byrne.
TQL, known as Total Quality Logisitics is the second largest freight brokerage firm in the country, which also happens to be the largest private company within the city of Cincinnati. For those who don’t know, the City of Cincinnati is home to six offices as well as the Total Quality Logistics Headquarters is located right on the east side of town. Total Quality Logistics currently has 56 offices in 26 different states in the United States, nine of those offices are within Big 12 markets in the cities of Kansas City, Dallas, Austin, Charleston, Pittsburgh, Houston, Dallas, Orlando, and Salt Lake.
Some may ask why that is important in this case, so let me break down why that is important for many reasons. The University of Cincinnati is entering their first season in the Big 12 starting on July 1st, 2023, which currently features 14 of the top college football teams in the country. TQL, also just bought the naming rights to the new FC Cincinnati Stadium downtown that is called “TQL Stadium”.
However, in this case this partnership is very unique for many reasons. Typically, when a partnership comes around, it includes a name change to the facility, but that wasn’t the case in this scenario. TQL president Kerry Byrne, and Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham made it known that the field will still be named “Carson Field” at Nippert Stadium.
“This is an important day for Bearcat athletics, as we continue to grow and advance our department heading into the Big 12 on July 1, 2023,” said Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham. “I’m excited to announce a new strategic long-term partnership with TQL, in which TQL has entered a naming rights level sponsorship that will place their corporate logo on Arch Carson Field here in Nippert Stadium, as well as additional field level signage and other assets within Nippert Stadium.”
