Lake Superior State University's Athletics Department today announced record revenue growth, driven by a significant increase in corporate partnerships. This major financial achievement showcases LSSU's continued transformation in NCAA DI and DII athletics.

Laker Athletics reports an increase of 47% in revenue from the 2025-26 athletics season to the 2026-27 season. The department also reached new heights in strategic partnerships, with a 61% increase in the number of corporate partners.

"I couldn't be more excited about the momentum we're building and the growth we're experiencing through our partnership with Taymar Sales U. What makes this relationship so special is the collaborative approach, shared vision, and genuine commitment to creating value for our corporate partners, LSSU Athletics, and the communities we serve. These results are about much more than revenue. They're about building meaningful relationships, expanding opportunities, and creating a stronger foundation for the future of Laker Athletics," said Tory Lindley, Athletic Director.

These collaborations support gameday operations, ongoing infrastructure renovation projects, a new gameday experience for fans, and an improved student-athlete experience, while providing premium marketing opportunities for community partners.

"The shared sense of trust and purpose behind our work is inseparable from our success," said Max Robert, Taymar Sales U Management Consultant.  "The strongest partnerships are built when corporate partners embody a genuine commitment to the University, investing themselves as members of its community and sharing in its vision for growth, sustainability and long-term success."

The recently completed Great Lake State Week provided opportunities to activate these valued relationships. During the week, LSSU opened The Laker Team Store in conjunction with Influxer to enhance Name, Image and Likeness opportunities for student-athletes in NCAA Division I and Division II athletics. The university also celebrated the Grand Reopening of historic Taffy Abel Arena, which completed its most significant renovation since 1995.

Lindley continued, "Together, we represent our shared geographic footprint and must capitalize on our collective passion for LSSU Athletics, ensuring that we win together and strengthen our community bonds."

Lake Superior State's NCAA Division I Hockey team and NCAA Division II teams provide partners with a unique marketing opportunity. The Laker brand remains one of the most significant in any field within the Upper Peninsula region and throughout the state, while the Laker Hockey brand reaches a national audience. Additionally, recent successes such as the Men's Basketball team's NCAA Division II Regional Championship in 2025 provide increased reach to audiences at the national level.

The Laker brand stands out as a strong regional partner and a leading platform to reach a broad audience. Robust social media content has seen large increases in traffic on Facebook and Instagram, while the new Lake Superior State Lakers mobile app, available on the App Store and Google Play, provides additional offerings for partners and community members to connect.

Lindley concluded, "Our philosophy is built on the belief that the best partnerships are mutually beneficial. We want our corporate partners to see a meaningful return on their investment, whether through brand exposure, customer engagement, employee experiences, or opportunities to connect with our student-athletes. When our partners succeed, our university and our communities benefit as well. That's what it means to win together."

Lake Superior State Athletics corporate partners play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of talent by providing student-athletes with access to internships, mentoring programs, and invaluable networking opportunities within their companies. Furthermore, the program offers exclusive access to LSSU head coaches for speaking engagements, providing insights into leadership, teamwork, and performance optimization.

For media inquiries, contact Matt Pocket, Director of Athletic Communications at mpocket@lssu.edu.