125th Anniversary of Franklin Field

2019 marked the 125^th anniversary of the opening of historic Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus.  To celebrate this iconic venue, which has served as a cornerstone of the Penn and Philadelphia communities, the Penn Athletics team sought to honor the tradition and history through a yearlong celebration during home games, in digital and social media, and in the community. From the outset, it was important to align corporate partners with this campaign that shared the passion for the Penn and Philly communities, and recognized the impact that Franklin Field has had on the sports world over the last 125 years.

The Solution:

JMI Sports identified three Philadelphia-based partners who were each committed to being part of celebrating the rich history of the iconic stadium. Independence Blue Cross, IBEW Local Union 98, and Steamfitters Local Union 420 were each longtime business partners of the University and supporters of Penn Athletics, and viewed their support of the 125^th anniversary as an extension and amplification of those relationships.

The Results:

Penn Athletics and JMI Sports executed a yearlong celebration that involved each of the sports that play their home games in the stadium (Football, Sprint Football, Men’s & Women’s Lacrosse) as well as The Penn Relays. The celebration culminated at the nationally-televised Penn vs. Dartmouth football game on ESPNU on October 4, 2019.

Franklin Field is one of the oldest college football stadiums in the country and has a storied history, having served as the home of not only the Penn Quakers, but also the Philadelphia Eagles, The Penn Relays and many other sporting and cultural events.  Local 420 members are proud to have performed work at Franklin Field over the years and our sponsorship of the 125^th Anniversary celebration is a reflection of our recognition of the historical significance of, and our continued support for, this iconic Philadelphia venue.