SAN ANTONIO -- Corner Store has announced that it is the official convenience store sponsor of the San Antonio Scorpions, a North American Soccer League (NASL) team whose proceeds benefit Morgan's Wonderland, a theme park designed for people with special needs.
"We are thrilled to build a relationship with a sports organization that cares as much about our city as we do. Soccer for a Cause is an admirable business model and we are proud to get in on the early days of a team and franchise we are confident will be a huge success," said Hal Adams, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for CST Brands Inc., Corner Store's parent company.
Corner Store has around 140 stores in the San Antonio area.
"It is a privilege for the Scorpions, Morgan's Wonderland and Toyota Field to be associated with Corner Store," said Gordon Hartman, Scorpions owner. "This special partnership is yet another example of the corporate leaders in San Antonio recognizing the importance of Soccer for a Cause and assisting us in our mission to help those with Special Needs. We are forever grateful to our friends at Corner Store and look forward to this long-term relationship with tremendous anticipation."
As part of the deal, Corner Store's signage at Toyota Field will resemble the yellow storefront of a real Corner Store, and the company will be the official sponsor of all corner kicks, a free kick taken from the corner when the ball is driven out of bounds.
After every home game win, fans will walk out of the stadium with a coupon for a free whoopie pie--sweet icing sandwiched between two slices of moist, warm-from-the-oven cake. Last year, Corner Store sold more than 1.3 million whoopie pies, which are part of the company's signature Fresh Choices product line.
Earlier this month, Corner Store introduced a new German chocolate flavor for the summer.
During breaks in the game, fans can win prizes by participating in whoopie pie-eating contests, Adams said.
"We're planning to have lots of fun with this sponsorship," Adams said. "Just like Corner Store customers, soccer fans are active, they love the electric atmosphere at games and they like to have a good time."
Founded in 2010 by entrepreneur Gordon Hartman, the San Antonio Scorpions team made its debut in the NASL in 2012; 100% of Scorpions' net profits help support Morgan's Wonderland, a unique and colorful 25-acre park that is redefining the possibilities for an accessible, inclusive play experience for special needs individuals. In its first season, the Scorpions led the league in attendance by a wide margin and spectators played a role in helping special needs individuals their families and friends experience a fun, safe place to play.
The team is playing their second season at Toyota Field, an 8,000-seat stadium next to Morgan's Wonderland. Through Soccer for a Cause, anyone with a physical or cognitive special need is admitted free to Morgan's Wonderland.
CST Brands is one of the largest independent retailers of motor fuels and convenience merchandise in North America. Based in San Antonio, it employs nearly 12,000 people at nearly 1,900 locations throughout the southwestern United States and eastern Canada offering a variety of convenience merchandise, beverages, snacks and fresh food. In the United States, CST Corner Stores sell Valero fuels and signature products such as Fresh Choices baked and packaged goods, U Force energy and sport drinks, Cibolo Mountain coffee, FC Soda and Flavors2Go fountain drinks. In Canada, CST is the exclusive provider of Ultramar fuels and its Depanneur du Coin and Corner Stores sell signature Transit Cafe coffee and pastries.
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