NSC thanks the Schwan’s Company for 21 years of supporting youth and family sports at the National Sports Center

The National Sports Center (NSC) would like to recognize the Schwan’s Company for 21 years of sponsorship of at the National Sports Center. Schwan’s sponsorship of various NSC tournaments and facilities will end in May of 2019.

This includes two of Schwan’s most visible partnerships, title sponsorships of the USA CUP youth soccer tournament, and the Super Rink.

“Schwan’s is a proud supporter of youth athletics across the state of Minnesota and has deeply appreciated the opportunity to work with the National Sports Center over 20 years,” said Mike Smith, vice president, corporate communications, public relations, sponsorships & events for Schwan’s Company. “We wish the National Sports Center nothing but success in the years to come and look forward to continuing our support of thousands of youth athletes at the Schwan’s supported Red Baron Arena & Expo in Marshall, Minnesota.”

Here are some notable landmarks in the history of Schwan’s partnership with the National Sports Center:

Schwan’s joined the NSC team in 1998, and over the years became the most-visible sponsor on the NSC campus. That first year they became title sponsor of both the Schwan’s USA CUP soccer tournament and the brand new four-sheet Schwan Super Rink. Since then they have sponsored these other NSC facilities and programs:

Beginning in 2001: Title sponsor of the Schwan’s Cup high school hockey tournament.
2004: Schwan Clubhouse at the new Victory Links golf course.
2005: Schwan Center meeting and events facility.
2006: Four additional sheets of ice at the Schwan Super Rink.
2010: Jersey sponsors of the NSC Minnesota Stars professional soccer team that played home games at the NSC.

In the years the Schwan’s Company sponsored the USA CUP soccer tournament (1998-2018) the event welcomed 19,587 teams and 282,681 players. Teams came from 46 different states and 65 different countries. The largest Schwan’s USA CUP during this period was the 2016 edition, with 1,178 teams. During this 21-year run, national soccer teams from the USA, Canada, Norway and Australia played exhibition games at USA CUP, featuring such legendary players as Mia Hamm, Freddy Adu, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy, Hope Solo and Abby Wambach.

During their 22 year sponsorship of the Super Rink (1998-2019), the facility welcomed an estimated 34 million players, coaches and fans. Over those years, the Super Rink hosted the IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship (2001), the two-year residency of the USA Women’s Olympic Hockey team (2008-2010), the ISI World Figure Skating Championship (four times), the U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championship (2001), and numerous well-attended annual events such as the North American Hockey League Showcase, the Walleye Chop adult hockey tournament, the REACH Figure Skating Camp, the Frosty Blades figure skating competition, and the Stick-it to Cancer Hockey Tournament.

“Schwan’s Company’s contribution to healthy youth and family sports in Minnesota cannot be overstated,” said NSC Executive Director Todd Johnson. “The events and programs at the NSC held over the past 21 years have created lifetime memories for thousands of Minnesota families, and hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world as well. The staff, board members and volunteers who have worked with Schwan’s over the years will value their trusted partnership forever.”