{"id":254624,"date":"2026-10-21T13:08:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T17:08:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=254624"},"modified":"2026-10-22T07:29:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T11:29:44","slug":"mt-bank-uconn-announce-expansion-of-strategic-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2026\/10\/mt-bank-uconn-announce-expansion-of-strategic-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"M&T Bank, UConn Announce Expansion of Strategic Partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"

M &T Bank and the University of Connecticut have announced an expansion of their strategic partnership. As the official bank of the University and the UConn Huskies, the evolution of the partnership includes the multiyear naming rights for the facility that houses Gampel Pavilion, home of the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams. Under the agreement, the facility will be renamed as M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion.<\/p>\n

The agreement was approved by the UConn Board of Trustees at its meeting Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion opened in 1990 and has seen the women’s basketball program win 12 NCAA national championships and the men’s team six. M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion is also the home of UConn’s commencement ceremonies, annual concerts, and various community events.<\/p>\n

“Our partnership with M&T Bank has had an immediate and lasting impact across all of our campuses and communities. This agreement continues and enhances that relationship, benefitting UConn and the state for many years to come,” said University of Connecticut President Radenka Maric. “Thanks to the support and investment of the General Assembly and Gov. Ned Lamont, the improvements currently underway at Gampel Pavilion will bring that iconic venue into the next generation and provide an unparalleled fan experience. M&T Bank’s commitment to UConn builds on those investments and will also help expand educational opportunities and promote holistic student success across our institution.”<\/p>\n

“Part of what makes UConn the Basketball Capital of the World is the incredible home court advantage our teams enjoy while playing on campus,” said UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict. “So many great memories and moments have been made over the last 36 years in the arena that Harry A. Gampel originally made possible. We are grateful to our partners at M&T Bank for their ongoing commitment to our mission for excellence and thrilled to attach M&T Bank’s name to our basketball home with the introduction of M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion. In this ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics, the investment from our state and support from M&T Bank will help ensure the continued success that we have all enjoyed over the years.”<\/p>\n

“For several decades, Gampel Pavilion has been home to two of the best basketball programs in the world,” said Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. “The state investments we’ve recently released to commence a long-overdue renovation of this arena will ensure that our UConn Huskies have access to the first-class facilities that support these athletic programs and the entire university for many decades to come. UConn is one of the best schools in the country, and these improvements on the Storrs campus support our overall commitment to strengthening Connecticut’s higher education system.”<\/p>\n

In addition to naming rights at Gampel Pavilion, the broader partnership supports academic and athletic priorities aligned with UConn’s mission. It helps UConn expand educational opportunities, invest in student achievement, and strengthen the University’s impact across Connecticut and New England. The partnership also includes investments in Connecticut-focused, co-branded activations and community engagements, which includes retail bank promotions, paid advertising, digital media inclusion, and other initiatives.<\/p>\n

“This partnership with UConn represents more than a sponsorship and a name on a building. It’s a shared commitment to the future of education, economic mobility, and civic leadership across our region.\u00a0Gampel Pavilion is one of the most recognizable and meaningful gathering places in Connecticut, and M&T is honored to now be a part of the legacy made possible by Harry A. Gampel,” said Michael Weinstock, Hartford Regional President for M&T Bank. “For generations, Gampel has been home to some of the defining moments in UConn athletics and a source of connection and pride for communities across Connecticut.\u00a0We’re proud to stand alongside Connecticut’s flagship university, and one of its most respected institutions, to invest in programs and in an arena that create lasting impact for students, families, and communities.”<\/p>\n

With more than 100 branches in Connecticut, M&T Bank has long prioritized strengthening the communities it serves. This collaboration with UConn builds on that legacy, reflecting M&T’s commitment to education and community investment, both in Connecticut and across its footprint.<\/p>\n

“One of the foundations of a successful athletic program is the ability to get buy-in and investments from partners that directly benefit from UConn and UConn Athletics,” said UConn head women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma. “In Connecticut, M&T Bank has really stepped up in a big way. These are the kinds of things that allow us to not just compete, but to win at the highest levels. I’m excited about it, I think it is going to be a tremendous partnership for a long time. I hope it’s an example to others to want to join.”<\/p>\n

“It’s never been more critical for our success to have incredible partnerships like M&T Bank,” said UConn head men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley. “Their support and investment into our programs will help fuel the championship-level efforts that Gampel Pavilion has been known for over the last 36 years.”<\/p>\n

As the official bank of UConn, M&T Bank receives several exclusive rights, including:<\/p>\n