Fresno State Athletics
Bayer CropScience New Softball Tournament Sponsor
1/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 16, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State has collaborated with Bayer CropScience and named them the new corporate sponsor for the Fresno State softball annual tournament at Bulldog Diamond. The 12th annual tournament, the Bayer CropScience Classic at Fresno State, will take play March 5-8 and includes BYU, Providence, Northern Illinois and California.
"Fresno State Athletics is proud to have this new sponsor and putting their name on our spring softball tournament shows their commitment to our softball program and the entire department," said Paul Ladwig, the Associate Athletic Director for Broadcasting and External Relations. "We know this sponsorhip will benefit both and continue to grow."
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG is one of the world's leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of about 17,800 and is represented in more than 120 countries.
"Bayer CropScience is very excited about our new sponsorhip with Fresno State Athletics," said Terry Specht, District Manager of Bayer CropScience. "The success of the Bulldog softball program was built on hard work and a sense of community. This is truly an opportunity to align our efforts with an organization that shares our same corporate values and helps brand our new innovative products here in the Central Valley Ag Community."
The Bulldogs have a 45-13 overall record in the tournament and have been crowned tournament champions four times. Last season, the Bulldogs finished second behind Houston.
Out of the other four teams participating, only BYU has competed in this tournament before, making two appearances with an 8-14 record and one third place finish.
"We are very pleased to have Bayer CropScience become the sponsor of our annual tournament," said head coach Margie Wright. "We try to make the tournament a first class event for the teams and fans and we now the addition of this sponsor will do just that."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State Softball team kicks off the 2009 season on Thursday, February 26 as they host Utah Valley University. First pitch at Bulldog Diamond is scheduled for 6:00 pm. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
