UC San Diego Athletics: A Marketing Triumph With Seven National Awards
In a stunning display of talent and creativity, UC San Diego Athletics has received an unprecedented seven "Best Of" awards from the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA). This accolade, revealed at the NACDA conference held at the Orlando World Center Marriott, showcases the Tritons’ innovative marketing strategies and their impact on both the community and revenue generation.
Celebrating Excellence in Marketing
"We are honored to be recognized for our achievements as a marketing team during the 2024-25 academic year," stated Todd Greenbaum, Associate Athletic Director of Marketing. "Receiving awards in seven NACMA ‘Best Of’ categories is a remarkable accomplishment that highlights the success and continued growth of UC San Diego Athletics marketing."
Greenbaum further emphasized that these awards reflect the team’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence, showcasing their profound impact across key areas of revenue generation, brand management, and fan development.
Outstanding Campaigns That Made an Impact
UC San Diego’s marketing efforts led to three gold awards for outstanding campaigns in lead generation, sport-specific branding, and sponsorship. Let’s explore these standouts:
Lead Generation Campaign: Two for $5 Women’s Basketball Tickets
The Tritons aimed to increase attendance for a pivotal women’s basketball game on January 16 by offering two tickets for just $5. The first 1,000 fans were treated to complimentary T-shirts, resulting in a remarkable turnout of 1,982 attendees, marking the fourth highest attendance in Tritons women’s basketball history.
Join us on Thursday, January 16 for our @ucsdwbb game against Long Beach State.
Buy here: Get Your Tickets
Sport-Specific Brand Campaign: The Best Story in College Basketball
UC San Diego men’s basketball created buzz and excitement throughout the season, establishing it as the best narrative in college basketball. This branding initiative leveraged digital media, out-of-home advertising, campus collaborations, and in-venue graphic assets. As a result, social media engagement skyrocketed by over 260%, while ticket sales saw an impressive 32% increase.
CHAMPS ?? #GoTritons
View Our Journey
Sponsorship Campaign: Basketball x JLab
As the basketball teams soared to success, new sponsor JLab joined the Tritons by signing NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals with two scholar-athletes. They provided headphones for all team members and distributed 1,000 JBuds minis as giveaways to boost student attendance at upcoming home games and encourage season ticket renewals.
Boost your game experience with JLab!
Additional Recognitions
Beyond the three gold accolades, UC San Diego also earned silver honors for:
- Multiplatform Branding Campaign
- Membership Drives
- Digital Media Engagement
- Branded Static Collateral
These achievements firmly establish UC San Diego as a pioneer in collegiate athletic marketing.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades of excellence in NCAA Division II, UC San Diego’s intercollegiate athletics program has transitioned to The Big West in NCAA Division I. The Tritons excel in 24 sports and boast a record of 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships. With an impressive graduation rate of 93%, the Tritons exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s foremost institutions.
For more information about UC San Diego Athletics and to stay connected on social media, follow them on Instagram and Twitter.
Conclusion
UC San Diego Athletics is setting a benchmark in marketing excellence within collegiate sports. Their innovative campaigns and ability to connect with fans have not only led to awards but also solidified their presence in the competitive landscape of college athletics. As they continue to grow, the Tritons are undoubtedly a force to watch in the future.
