Dash partners with Winston-Salem State
Fourteen Winston-Salem State University students participated in the Winston-Salem Dash internship program in 2011. This included cross-education in all departments (i.e. Ticket Sales, Sponsorship Services, Operations, Box Office, Pressbox, Gameday and Entertainment).
The club also worked directly with WSSU's Sports Marketing program to operate eight WSSU home baseball games hosted at its BB&T Ballpark.
WSSU hosted its "WSSU Cares for U Health Fair" at the Dash's stadium. Fans in the community were invited to the ballpark for an opportunity to participate in a Zumba session on the field. The "Rams Know H.O.W." (Healthcare on Wheels) mobile health clinic was also on hand to provide free wellness services, including blood pressure and BMI screenings.
Other parts of the partnership included use of the Womble Carlyle Club at BB&T Ballpark's three times a year, mascot appearances and family passes for field day and a carnival with the entire Dash team.
Some of the sponsorship elements WSSU received included turn-key outfield LED wall animations, video board graphics, print advertisements, radio spots, promotion collateral, e-mail blasts and web site advertisements on wsdash.com.
WSSU also served as the title sponsor of six Dash home games, receiving dominant advertisement and placement in the club's program, recognition on the outfield LED wall, video board and P.A. announcements, as well as the honor of a WSSU representative throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
The school also received full season club level seats, four Luxury Suite Nights and two Party Deck events. One such event was Pastor Appreciation Day to acknowledge local youth pastors from churches in the community who joined together for a special day of fellowship and recognition at BB&T Ballpark.
The Dash will also sponsor two WSSU students to attend the 2011 Baseball Winter Meetings Job Fair in Dallas, Texas, in December.