Elon University’s Trip Durham, Assistant Director of Athletics for Marketing and Home Event Operations, was recognized on Saturday in Orlando, Florida by the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) for his organization of a promotion for Elon Athletics. Durham earned second place nationally for the Best Activation Program with a Sponsor: Under $50,000. The award goes to someone who has created, set up and activated a promotion. There are three divisions depending on the marketing budget available.
All projects submitted where judged by a panel of business leaders, which included the former Director of the Fiesta Bowl and the President of the Vista Sports Management Group. Durham believes that winning this award gives recognition to smaller schools.
“I think it helps demonstrate that smaller institutions, those institutions that don’t have all the resources that other Division-I schools have, can still make an impact in the community with a little hard work and creativity,” said Durham. “In winning second place, it reinforces that we do indeed do good things here at Elon.”
Durham’s promotion, entitled “Gear Up With The Phoenix,” ran last fall and allowed a child the opportunity to win an autograph party with the Phoenix football team. The promotion was held in association with Wal-Mart, the Alamance/Burlington School System, Domino’s Pizza, Jersey Mike’s Subs and Coca-Cola. The promotion was held at Wal-Mart, which was the first store in the area to carry Elon Phoenix apparel. In the apparel section of the store, a child could sign up to win the party, to be held at the winner’s school. At the end of October, the football team, coaches, cheerleaders, dance team and mascot loaded up two charter buses and headed to Smith Elementary School to party with the winner and nine of his friends.
Durham, an eight-year veteran at Elon University, also serves as third Vice President for the NACMA and chairs the Sports Development Council for the Alamance County/Burlington Convention and Visitors Bureau.