Cleveland, Ohio – September 23rd, 2025 — Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) has completed two major sponsorships with local universities. These strategic sponsorships will continue to boost our visibility in Northeast Ohio while partnering with area colleges.
CLE is now the official airport partner of Akron Athletics. The partnership started in July of 2025 and is a three-year agreement.
Closer to home, CLE is also signed a three-year agreement as the official sponsor and preferred air travel partners of Cleveland State Athletics.
“We are thrilled to support these universities and students who are Northeast Ohio’s next generation of leaders,” said Megan O’Connell, Assistant Director, Marketing, Communications & Guest Experience. “It’s the perfect way for us to connect with fans and support the community around us at the same time.”
Both sponsorships include in-game promotions, fan giveaways, marketing assets and more!
“We are proud to welcome Cleveland Hopkins International Airport as a partner,” Director of Athletics Kelsie Gory Harkey said. “This relationship will create new opportunities to engage the Cleveland State community with CLE, while supporting our student-athletes in the classroom, the community and in competition.”
These partnerships are part of a broader strategy by the airport to deepen our engagement in the City and region while showcasing CLE as the CLEar choice for travelers in Northeast Ohio.
“Winning championships in competition, in the classroom, and in the community drives the Akron Athletics mission to elevate the experience of all our friends and neighbors in Northeast Ohio," Akron Director of Athletics Andrew T. Goodrich said. "We value our partnership with the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport nearly as much as our Men's Soccer National Championship or many trips to the NCAA Men's Basketball National Tournament because of the significant brand value and awareness it brings to the University of Akron, which is now one of the fastest growing universities in the State of Ohio.”
Additionally, spreading awareness at local universities about CLE will engage students and encourage them to explore multiple careers available in the aviation industry. By creating pathways right here in Northeast Ohio for youth, we can retain local talent which not only strengthens our workforce, but our communities as well.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Northeast Ohio’s Gateway to the World. Ohio’s busiest airport serves over 10 million passengers annually. Ten passenger airlines offer over 130 daily departures to over 40 nonstop destinations. There are also four all-cargo airlines serving CLE.
ABOUT ZIPS ATHLETICS
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University meets the needs of its more than 15,000 students with over 200 in-demand degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees — with over 300 extracurricular activities. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in community and economic growth. Akron sponsors 18 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.
About Cleveland State University
Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution located in the heart of Northeast Ohio with 14,000-plus students, 10 colleges and schools, and more than 175 academic programs. Find more information at csuohio.edu.