University of Evansville Athletics

What University of Evansville Athletics does

University of Evansville Athletics is the intercollegiate athletics department of the University of Evansville, a private non-profit university in Evansville, Indiana, founded in 1854. The department operates 17 NCAA Division I programs under the Purple Aces brand, competing in the Missouri Valley Conference, and serves approximately 5,000 student-athletes across the conference. Core operations span competitive athletics, student-athlete academic support (via the Beeler Center and Academic Excellence Program), sports performance and nutrition services, and community engagement through the SAAC and community service programs.

The department's digital infrastructure is built on the Sidearm Sports platform, which powers the GoPurpleAces.com official website, a free mobile app for iOS and Android with push notifications and geo-fencing, live statistics, social media integration, and video streaming. Student-athlete support is augmented by the Teamworks Nutrition partnership (meal plan recommendations and food logging) and the Teamworks/ARMS community service tracking system. Content distribution extends to the Aces on the Air podcast and Purple Aces Sports Network on SoundCloud, plus sport-specific X and Instagram accounts.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: ticket sales across all 17 programs; donations via the Purple Aces Club and sport-specific excellence funds; corporate sponsorships anchored by the NIKE/BSN SPORTS apparel partnership and Old National Bank; and emerging revenue streams including the Aces 50/50 Raffle and sports camps. Pricing varies by program, with youth sports camps priced $155-$215 and donor tiers ranging from a $15 minimum gift to $1,500+ for President's Club membership. The 2025-26 fiscal year produced record-breaking results across revenue, fundraising, and attendance metrics.

Name

University of Evansville Athletics

Legal name

University of Evansville Athletics

Website

https://gopurpleaces.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1854

Operating status

Operating

Short description

University of Evansville Athletics operates 17 NCAA Division I Purple Aces programs in the Missouri Valley Conference, serving student-athletes, fans, donors, and the Evansville community through intercollegiate competition, digital content, youth programs, and apparel partnerships with NIKE and BSN SPORTS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

College Athletics

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

College/University Athletic Departments & Varsity Programs (MPAKACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN), Athletics Events, Game Operations & Ticketing (EDALAIAK)

Keywords

• Collegiate athletics
• NCAA Division I
• Intercollegiate sports
• Athletics fundraising
• Sports camps

Headquarters

HQ city

Evansville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from season tickets, group sales, and gate attendance across all 17 athletic programs. Seven new records set for best revenue for individual sports and seasons in 2025-26.
2. Athletics Annual Fund and Donations: Nearly $2 million raised in support of the department including facility initiatives, with over $1 million directed to the Athletics Annual Fund, the largest annual fund total in Purple Aces history.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Partnership with NIKE and BSN SPORTS providing comprehensive apparel support. Additional sponsorship through Old National Bank for the Junior Aces Reading Program.
4. New Revenue Streams: Creative new revenue generation including Aces 50/50 Raffle and special ticketing packages, raising over $50,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

University of Evansville Athletics operates 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletic programs under the Purple Aces brand, competing in the Missouri Valley Conference. The department delivers competitive sports experiences, student-athlete academic and performance support services, youth sports camps, donor-funded programs through the Purple Aces Club, and digital content through the GoPurpleAces.com website and mobile app. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, donations, corporate sponsorships (NIKE, BSN SPORTS, Old National Bank), merchandise, and ancillary programs such as the Aces 50/50 Raffle.

Product overview

University of Evansville Athletics operates as a collegiate athletics department competing in the Missouri Valley Conference with 17 sports programs. The department's digital infrastructure consists of the GoPurpleAces.com website and mobile application, both powered by Sidearm Sports, delivering schedules, rosters, news, and live statistics. The Purple Aces Sports Network distributes the Aces on the Air podcast featuring coach interviews and sports coverage. Student-athlete support services include the Beeler Center for academic assistance, the Sports Performance Department with its A.C.E.S. philosophy, and the Teamworks Nutrition partnership for performance-based meal planning. The department also operates community service programs, the Junior Aces Reading Program, sports camps, and the Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee (SAAC). Fundraising initiatives include the Purple Aces Club with sport-specific excellence funds, while a landmark 2026 NIKE/BSN SPORTS partnership represents the most significant apparel deal in program history.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Purple Aces Sports Network: The official podcast network of University of Evansville Athletics featuring 'Aces on the Air' podcast covering various sports programs
• Purple Aces Club
• Old National Bank Junior Aces Reading Program
• Beeler Center
• Aces 50/50 Raffle

Products and services

• GoPurpleAces.com Official Athletics Website Official athletics website powered by Sidearm Sports, providing schedules, rosters, news, live stats, and content for all 17 Purple Aces athletics programs.
• UE Athletics Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android devices providing push notifications for each sport, direct access to videos and social media, and geo-fencing capabilities for promotional offers.
• Aces on the Air Podcast Official podcast of University of Evansville Athletics featuring interviews with coaches, athletes, and sports coverage hosted by Jevin Redman, Voice of the Aces.
• Sports Camps Multi-sport youth camps hosted by UE coaches on campus including Men's Soccer Skills Day Camps, Volleyball Skills Clinics, All Skills Camp, College Prep Camp, Little Aces Camp, and Men's Basketball Kids Camp for grades K-8.
• Old National Bank Junior Aces Reading Program Children's reading incentive program encouraging students up to fifth grade to read five books during men's basketball season to win two tickets to a home game.
• Purple Aces Club Donor Membership Program Official athletics donor fundraising club supporting all 17 Purple Aces athletics programs with sport-specific excellence funds and tiered giving levels from $15 minimum to $1,500+ Home Run tier.
• Academic Excellence Program Athletics department program providing on-campus academic resources including Academic Coaching, Peer Tutoring Services, Advising Services, Writing Center, Library Services with Research Assistance Program, and QUEST library search tool for student-athletes.
• Sports Performance Department Dedicated sports performance department providing integrated training combining strength and conditioning, sports science, nutrition, and recovery strategies through the A.C.E.S. Philosophy (Athletes Committed to Excellence and Sustainability) at the Begle Family Sports Performance Center.
• Teamworks Nutrition Program Nutrition partnership providing each UE student-athlete with a Teamworks Nutrition account for meal plan recommendations based on training habits and performance goals, food logging, recipe suggestions, and access to educational material.
• NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Athletics Programs 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletic programs competing in the Missouri Valley Conference, including Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field, Softball, and Volleyball.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $2 million raised including over $1 million to Athletics Annual Fund
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NIKEcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 5 March 2026Most significant apparel partnership in Purple Aces Athletics history. NIKE serves as exclusive outfitter for all 17 Purple Aces athletics programs and spirit squads. The renewed and expanded multi-year agreement represents a dramatic increase in overall support to UE Athletics and positions the Purple Aces for sustained competitive growth.
• BSN SPORTScoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 5 March 2026Exclusive supplier of NIKE uniforms, apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories. BSN SPORTS will invest in expanded facility branding and visual enhancements. New My Team Shop platform provides consistent sport-specific NIKE purchasing opportunities throughout the year.
• Teamwork's NutritioncoreTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2025Partnership allowing each UE student-athlete to create accounts for meal plan recommendations based on training habits and performance goals, food logging, recipe suggestions, and access to educational material. Available through iOS and Android apps.
• Old National BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2022Old National Bank partners with University of Evansville Athletics for the Junior Aces Reading Program. Children up to fifth grade read five books during basketball season to win two tickets to a home game.
• Sidearm SportscoreTechnology or Integration · 27 June 2019Sidearm Sports provides software and technology powering the GoPurpleAces.com website, mobile applications, live stats, social presence, and video streaming. Trusted by 250+ NCAA Division I programs and 56 Power Five athletic departments.
• Hampton Inn Evansville AirportminorOthersPreferred hotel partner located at 5701 US-41, Evansville, IN 47711. Partner contact: (812) 464-1010.
• Holiday Inn Express Evansville EastminorOthersPreferred hotel partner located at 220 Kirkwood Drive, Evansville, Indiana. Partner contact: (812) 303-0050.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Missouri State Bears Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer competing in the same Missouri Valley Conference across multiple sports with similar mid-major Division I profile, comparable operating scale, and shared conference revenue/competition structure.
• Indiana State Sycamores Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer; Indiana State competed with UE in a four-way tie for first in baseball during the 2025-26 season, indicating head-to-head competitive overlap and comparable program scale.
• Drake Bulldogs Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer and private university peer institution (also private), with comparable athletic department scale and donor-driven revenue model within the Missouri Valley Conference.
• Bradley Braves Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer and fellow private university with similar athletic department scale, fan base size, and reliance on fundraising-driven revenue model.
• Illinois State Redbirds Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer with comparable Division I mid-major profile, regional Midwest fan base, and parallel mix of revenue streams including tickets, donations, and apparel partnerships.
• Southern Illinois Salukis Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer operating similar number of sports programs with comparable mid-major revenue scale and Midwest regional fan base within the same conference structure.
• Northern Iowa Panthers Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer with comparable Division I athletic program breadth and similar regional Midwest positioning within shared conference revenue and competition dynamics.
• Murray State Racers Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer; tied with UE for first in MVC baseball standings during 2025-26, demonstrating same-conference competition with comparable program scale and ambition.
• Belmont Bruins Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer and private university institution with similar mid-major profile; UE Women's Basketball earned Game of the Year recognition for MVC Tournament win over Belmont, confirming direct head-to-head competition.
• UIC Flames Athletics: Direct MVC conference peer; Men's Soccer's Record-Breaking Performance of the Year came via MVC Tournament win over UIC, evidencing direct competitive overlap within the same conference.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UEAthletics
• YouTubesoundcloud.com/purple-aces-sports-network
• Facebookfacebook.com/UniversityofEvansvilleAthleticsDepartment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/university-of-evansville
• Instagraminstagram.com/ueathletics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Evansville Athletics