Purple Reign Week: UNA Calls On Local Businesses To Help Celebrate Fall Athletic Season
Aug. 23, 2010
FLORENCE, Ala. – As the University of North Alabama fall athletic teams kick off their seasons in September, the university is inviting Shoals-area businesses to help paint the community purple and gold in celebration of Purple Reign Week the week of Sept. 12.
Purple Reign Week, in its second year, is a spirit competition for area businesses. Businesses are judged on how they show their UNA spirit through decoration, originality and employee involvement. This year’s challenge will include three competition categories: small businesses (businesses with 15 or fewer employees), large businesses (businesses with 16 or more employees) and government entities.
“UNA is part of the heart and soul of our community. The university deserves the community’s support, whatever that support might be. Get all your staff into the spirit of what UNA is all about,” said Alison Stanfield of Florence/Lauderdale Tourism, one of last year’s Purple Reign Week winners.
The winner in each category of this year’s spirit competition will receive tickets to the Sept. 18 UNA football game against Southern Arkansas University plus breakfast Sept. 20, delivered by members of the UNA fall season coaching staff. The breakfast will be provided by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
“I’ve been around sports most of my life, and it’s very important for the players to see the support of the community. It really excites them to see the community behind them,” said Lauderdale County License Commissioner Mickey Haddock, whose office was one of last year’s Purple Reign Week winners.
Purple Reign Week 2010 will also include a pep rally at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17, sponsored by Hampton Inn & Suites and SunTrust Bank. The event will be held in the parking lot of SunTrust Bank on S. Court Street in downtown Florence. The rally will include the UNA Pride of Dixie Marching Band, the cheerleading squad, Leo and Una, and coaches and players from each of the UNA fall athletic teams. Winners of the Purple Reign Week spirit competition will also be announced at the event.
“We are fortunate to have UNA not only for its economic impact but also for the opportunity it gives this community to be part of some of the best Division II sports in the country,” said Joey Mecke, director of sales Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Florence, one of the sponsors of the Purple Reign pep rally. “Let’s paint the Shoals purple and show the athletes how proud we are of them an UNA.”
The week of Purple Reign activities will kick off early the morning of Sept. 12 as members of the UNA and downtown business communities repaint the lion paws on Court Street. Court Street will be blocked off for the painting from 6 a.m. to noon that day.
How to Enter Purple Reign Week
To enter your business in Purple Reign Week 2010, complete the form at www.una.edu/purple. Judging will begin Sept. 15.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.una.edu/purple, e-mail advancement@una.edu or call 256-765-4670.