University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Athletics recognized at 2025 NACMA Awards
6/9/2025 2:30:00 PM | General
Panther marketing team honored nationally for Panthers In Paradise and Takedowns And Tattoos promotions.
ORLANDO, Fla. --- The UNI Athletic Department's marketing team was recognized on Monday with a pair of distinct honors from the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) at its annual convention in Florida.
Northern Iowa's "Panthers In Paradise" promotion during the men's and women's basketball season was honored with a silver award in the category of Student Engagement. UNI was also recognized for its "Takedowns And Tattoos" promotion this past wrestling season, also receiving a silver award in the Single Game Attendance/Sellout Campaign category.
"It's an honor for our marketing team and athletic department to be recognized among our peers on the national stage," said Jacob Wiedrich, UNI's Director of Athletic Marketing. "Although we are being recognized for our marketing efforts, these promotions and events wouldn't be possible without the collaboration of several individuals within our athletic department and throughout campus! We take great pride in this award and look forward to continuing to grow our marketing and fan engagement efforts throughout the Legacy Era!"
"Panthers In Paradise" was held Feb. 7-8 inside the McLeod Center as both the UNI women's and men's basketball teams hosted Illinois State in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play. In partnership with Tubs R Us Pools and Spas in Waterloo, two hot tubs were installed courtside for UNI students to enjoy during the games, with specialized beach towels, a replica jersey giveaway, sunglasses and Hawaiian leis available in a tropical themed event. The UNI women's team saw the Panthers roll past Illinois State by a score of 72-52 on the opening night of the event, while the UNI men drew over 4,800 fans, its second-largest home crowd of the season as the Panthers outlasted the Redbirds in a hotly contested 68-65 win televised on ESPNU.
"Tattoos And Takedowns" took place on Feb. 16 during Northern Iowa's final home wrestling dual of the season against in-state and Big 12 Conference rival Iowa State. Partnering with Panther wrestling alum Isaiah Patton and Honey and Vinegar Tattoos in Cedar Falls, UNI held a drawing for eight individuals to receive a free UNI themed tattoo from a preset selection live during the Panthers' home finale. With over 200 entries into the drawing, as well as a historic season that saw Northern Iowa finish fourth in the national rankings, UNI would topple the Cyclones by a score of 26-10 in front of 7,348 fans, an all-time McLeod Center attendance record for any sport.
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UNI Athletics action can be followed all year long on social media on Facebook (UNI Athletics), X (@UNIAthletics) and on Instagram (@uniathletics). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.