WIFM's high school sports coverage has been a mainstay in the Yadkin Valley for decades, with our broadcasts reaching devoted listeners across Alleghany, Ashe, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Stokes, and into Virginia. Since 1998, WIFM and Joel Hooper have covered 25 state championships live, establishing our station as the trusted voice of local sports.
For businesses seeking authentic community engagement, high school sports sponsorships offer a unique combination of emotional connection, targeted reach, and demonstrated return on investment. Let's explore how your business can leverage this powerful marketing channel to drive growth while supporting the teams that matter most to your customers.
The Power of Community Connection
High school sports occupy a special place in the hearts of Yadkin Valley residents, creating marketing opportunities that go far beyond traditional advertising:
- Multi-generational appeal: From grandparents to young siblings, high school sports attract diverse age groups that are often difficult to reach through a single medium
- Emotional engagement: Sponsors benefit from the positive associations and passionate connections fans have with local teams
- Community goodwill: Supporting student-athletes demonstrates your commitment to the community's values and future
According to research by the National Federation of State High School Associations, 70% of consumers consider a company's commitment to the community when making purchasing decisions. Sports sponsorships signal that commitment in a powerful, visible way.
The Reach Advantage of High School Sports Coverage
WIFM's high school sports broadcasts deliver exceptional reach across our coverage area:
- Live radio coverage reaches fans at the game, at home, in their vehicles, and at work
- Online streaming extends your reach to alumni, college-bound students, and community members living elsewhere
- Consistent weekly engagement throughout the sports seasons, building frequency and familiarity
- Cross-platform promotion through game highlights, interviews, and recaps on our website and social media
Our Sports Talk program (Wednesdays at 6:05 pm) and daily Bojangles' Sports Report (weekday mornings at 7:30 am) extend your sponsorship impact beyond game broadcasts, creating multiple touchpoints with engaged listeners.
Strategic Sponsorship Options for Every Budget
WIFM offers a range of sponsorship opportunities to fit businesses of all sizes:
Game Broadcast Sponsorships
- Title Sponsorships: "Tonight's game is brought to you by [Your Business]" with premier placement and multiple mentions
- Quarter Sponsorships: Regular mentions at the beginning of each quarter
- Halftime Show Sponsorships: Featured billing during the extended halftime segment
- Scoreboard Updates: Regular association with score announcements
Season-Long Programs
- Player of the Game: Recognition tied directly to outstanding athletic performances
- Team of the Week: Sponsorship of weekly recognition segments
- Coach's Corner: Association with insightful interviews from respected coaches
- Student Athlete of the Week: Aligning your brand with academic and athletic excellence
Digital Integration
- Website Banner Ads: Placement on our high-traffic scoreboard page (our second most visited page with 696 views per month)
- Social Media Mentions: Extended reach through WIFM's social channels
- Broadcast Streaming Sponsors: Reaching the digital audience following games online
Industry-Specific Sponsorship Strategies
Different types of businesses can tailor sports sponsorships to their specific marketing goals:
For Restaurants and Food Services
- Promote game day specials during broadcasts
- Sponsor pre-game or post-game meal segments
- Create team victory celebrations or special offers tied to wins
For Automotive Dealers and Services
- Target the captive in-car audience during game broadcasts
- Sponsor transportation-related segments (Drive of the Game, Road to Victory)
- Create service specials for families displaying team spirit
For Healthcare Providers
- Sponsor injury reports or health tips for athletes
- Connect with health-conscious parents through wellness segments
- Build community trust through association with student well-being
For Financial Institutions and Insurance
- Sponsor scholarship segments highlighting academic achievement
- Create financial literacy programs for student-athletes
- Connect with families planning for college and future needs
For Retail Businesses
- Drive traffic with game day promotions or team apparel specials
- Create "victory discounts" following team wins
- Sponsor recognition of team supporters and superfans
Measuring the Impact of Sports Sponsorships
Unlike some marketing channels, high school sports sponsorships deliver measurable results:
- Direct response tracking: Special offers and promotion codes tied to broadcasts
- Website traffic analysis: Correlating site visits with broadcast schedules
- In-store mentions: Tracking customers who reference hearing about you on game coverage
- Social media engagement: Monitoring interaction with sponsored content
- Brand awareness surveys: Measuring recall and community perception
Many WIFM advertisers report that sports sponsorships deliver their highest engagement rates and strongest ROI compared to other marketing channels.
The Potential Impact of Strategic Sports Sponsorships
Businesses that develop thoughtful, consistent sports sponsorship strategies can experience multiple benefits:
- Enhanced brand recognition across diverse community demographics
- Increased customer loyalty from sports fans who appreciate business support of local teams
- Opportunities for direct engagement with potential customers in high-energy environments
- Differentiation from competitors who don't maintain community presence
- Recruitment advantages when hiring locally, as community involvement enhances employer reputation
By tracking responses through dedicated offers, website analytics, and in-store conversations, businesses can measure the specific impact of their sports marketing investments.
Best Practices for Maximizing Your Sponsorship Impact
To get the most from your high school sports sponsorship investment, consider these proven strategies:
- Maintain consistency throughout the season rather than sponsoring isolated games
- Align sponsorship elements with your business offerings (e.g., "Timeout Tips" for financial advisors)
- Create authentic connections by having your staff attend games you sponsor
- Extend your reach through complementary social media and in-store promotion
- Track results using dedicated phone numbers, special offers, or website landing pages
- Support multiple schools across our coverage area to maximize community goodwill
- Involve your team by recognizing employees with connections to local sports
The WIFM Difference: Why Our Sports Coverage Delivers Results
WIFM's sports broadcasting team brings decades of experience and deep community connections to every game we cover:
- Joel Hooper has been broadcasting local sports since 1993, building trust and recognition throughout the Yadkin Valley
- Daron Atkins brings unique insights as a sports official with over 30 years of experience
- Our dedicated team provides comprehensive coverage before, during, and after games
This expertise creates professional, engaging broadcasts that keep listeners tuned in—and your sponsorship messages front and center.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should we plan our sports sponsorship strategy?
For fall sports like football, we recommend securing sponsorships by mid-August to ensure availability of premium positions. Winter and spring sports typically require 4-6 weeks advance planning.
Can we sponsor specific schools that align with our business locations?
Absolutely. WIFM offers school-specific sponsorships as well as broader packages covering multiple communities across our coverage area in Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin, and surrounding counties.
How can we measure the ROI of our sports sponsorship?
We recommend a combination of approaches: tracking codes or special offers mentioned during broadcasts, monitoring website traffic during and after games, and collecting customer feedback about where they heard about your business.
What makes high school sports sponsorships different from other advertising options?
High school sports create emotional connections that other advertising channels can't match. Your business becomes associated with community pride, achievement, and shared experiences that resonate deeply with customers.
How can small businesses with limited budgets participate in sports sponsorships?
We offer entry-level packages including single-game sponsorships, segment sponsorships, and digital-only options that provide the community connection benefits at accessible price points.
High school sports bring our communities together like nothing else. By aligning your business with the teams and traditions that matter to your customers, you create connections that extend far beyond traditional advertising.
To explore sports sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming season, contact WIFM today.
Getting Started: Creating Your Sports Marketing Strategy
Ready to connect with passionate fans across our coverage area? Here's how to get started with WIFM sports sponsorships:
- Identify your goals: Brand awareness, customer acquisition, community goodwill, or specific product promotion
- Select your target schools: Choose specific communities or broader regional coverage
- Determine your budget: Options available for businesses of all sizes
- Create compelling messaging: Develop authentic connections with sports themes
- Plan for integration: Coordinate your sponsorship with other marketing efforts
- Contact our team: Let us help craft the perfect sponsorship package
Fall sports season is approaching quickly, making now the ideal time to secure your sponsorship position before premium options are claimed by competitors.