Old National Bank announces formation of Walter McCarty Leadership Academy

ONB announces massive commitment to UE

Old National Bank and the University of Evansville have enjoyed a long and successful relationship.  The partnership reaches a new level with the formation of the Walter McCarty Leadership Academy powered by Old National Bank.

The academy is an initiative that will benefit the Evansville community in many ways.  The primary goal of the academy is to develop leadership skills and provide growth opportunities through unique experiences for the participants and their families.

One of those experiences will be through the ONB Community Section.  For each men’s and women’s basketball home game, 50 complimentary seats behind the visitor’s bench will be given out through the academy.  It will provide those in attendance with the chance to enjoy the game from a premium section while also being able to share the experience with Purple Aces head coaches Walter McCarty and Matt Ruffing following each home game.

“Old National is happy to serve as a University of Evansville partner and truly honored to bring the vision of the Walter McCarty Leadership Academy to life – supporting our community’s greatest asset, our youth,” said Old National Region CEO Sara Miller. “Through educational programming and unique experiences focused on leadership and life skills development, we hope to create, strengthen and empower the next generation of leaders.”

Being a native of Evansville, the opportunity to give back his home town is very meaningful to McCarty.

“It is an honor to team up with Old National Bank to form the Walter McCarty Leadership Academy,” McCarty said.  “This is a way for us to really give back to the community while having a positive impact on the lives of the youth in our town.”

“I am very excited about the formation of the ONB Community Section.  Being located behind the visitor’s bench, this group has a chance to make a difference during the game and provide a great advantage for our team,” McCarty continued.

The continued partnership between Old National Bank and UE is not limited to just the academy.  Beginning in 2018, for every 3-pointer made by the Aces men’s and women’s squads, Old National Bank will donate $3 to the academy.  This venture will be called the “ONB Three”.

ONB is also set to become the presenting sponsor of the Purple Aces Radio Network.  In what will be called the “Old National Bank Radio Network”, the newly-established partnership will see UE men’s basketball games broadcasted on five affiliates in the area.  The flagship station will be 107.1 WJPS in Evansville while WAOV 1450/97.7/97.3 in Vincennes, WRCY 1590/106.7 in Mt. Vernon, WROY 1460/92.1 in Carmi, Illinois and WYFX 106.7 in Evansville will also carry broadcasts.

“We are very excited about the commitment that Old National Bank has made to the University of Evansville and our athletic programs,” UE President Chris Pietruszkiewicz explained.  “This relationship impacts our entire university and we are honored to have Old National Bank set the precedent for how our university is represented on and off the court.”

This relationship will be managed by Learfield’s Purple Aces Sports Properties, the university’s athletic multimedia rights holder.