PHILADELPHIA — Citadel Credit Union has signed a multi-year agreement to become the official credit union of Drexel Athletics, using a broad sponsorship that combines athletic branding, student engagement and financial education as the institution expands its retail footprint in Philadelphia.
Beginning with the 2026-27 athletic season, Citadel’s branding will appear on Sam Cozen Court at Drexel University’s Daskalakis Athletic Center, alongside additional advertising across basketball venues, the Vidas Athletic Complex, campus activations, digital campaigns and NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcasts.
The partnership comes as Citadel increases its presence in Philadelphia following the opening of its first full-service branch in Overbrook Park. The credit union plans to open a second branch in Cedar Park in late 2026 and has announced plans for a third city location.
The agreement also positions Citadel to work directly with Drexel student-athletes through name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities tied to future partnership activations. The organizations said they also plan to develop financial wellness programming focused on budgeting, financial planning and money management for student-athletes.
Citadel’s marketing rights include rotational ribbon-board advertising during men’s and women’s basketball games, game sponsorships, in-venue promotions, signage at the Vidas Athletic Complex, social media campaigns and campus events on Lancaster Walk.
Bill Brown, president and chief executive officer of Citadel Credit Union, said the partnership aligns with the credit union’s expansion strategy in Philadelphia.
“As we continue to grow our presence in the city, this partnership gives us a meaningful way to connect with students, families, alumni, and fans while supporting the energy and tradition of Drexel Athletics,” Brown said.
Drexel officials said the agreement is intended to expand resources for student-athletes while strengthening engagement with the university community.
“Our partnership with Citadel Credit Union reflects a strong alignment between two organizations with deep ties to the Philadelphia community,” Maisha Kelly, Drexel’s vice president and director of athletics and recreation, said. “This collaboration provides a dynamic and highly visible platform to engage our campus and the broader region.”
Sam Cozen Court, which was dedicated in 2005, has undergone several upgrades in recent years, including installation of a center-hung video board, additional digital displays and improvements to the arena’s production, lighting and audio systems. The addition of on-court corporate branding represents the latest enhancement to the facility.
The partnership was facilitated by Dragons Sports Properties, Learfield’s local multimedia rights holder for Drexel Athletics.
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