Raising Cane’s has become the title sponsor of Nicholls Nation, an organization that promotes all facets of the University’s athletic department, which strives to engage students, faculty and the surrounding community.
Since Nicholls athletics has paired with Cane’s fried chicken and crinkle cut fries, the duo has become the most formidable twosome since Jordan and Pippen.
Raising Cane’s has been a long-standing sponsor of Nicholls athletics.
However, according to the Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs Brandon Ruttley, this year they are serving as the premier sponsor for Nicholls Nation, making it the first time that the organization has such a big-time corporate sponsor. The money Cane’s has spent to garner this distinction is pocketed by the Colonel’s Athletic Association and goes toward the development of all sports programs.
“I am excited about this partnership because Raising Cane’s is one of our most active sponsors,” Ruttley said. “Linking up with Nicholls Nation and all of our students, faculty and staff has proved to be a good investment on their part. So we feel it is really a great opportunity for both sides.”
Rachel Yezak, former Nicholls volleyball standout, is now the coordinator for corporate sponsorships of the athletic department and played an integral role in working with the crispy chicken conglomerate to fuse their brand with Nicholls Nation.
“Officially, it came into existence this summer,” Yezak said. “Raising Cane’s has been a long-standing sponsor for years, but we approached them to sponsor Nicholls Nation for the first time this year. They will have several promotions and other giveaways throughout the year.  They are everywhere that Nicholls Nation is.”
Most notably, their recognizable logo is printed on the back of every Nicholls Nation shirt this year. Currently there are 107 students who are affiliated with the organization.
Heather Barber, communicative disorders senior from St. Rose, is actively involved in Nicholls Nation and has been unofficially recognized as the “president.” She has thoroughly enjoyed her affiliation with the program.
“My involvement with Nicholls Nation has just started, but it has been really fun and exciting so far,” Barber said. “I attended an organizational meeting when school first started so we could try and get more students involved and think of ways to promote Nicholls Nation on campus.”
Barber believes strongly in the purpose of Nicholls Nation and highly encourages other students to not only join, but to get engage themselves in Colonel Athletics.
“I would encourage other students to get involved with Nicholls Nation because it is an awesome opportunity for them to meet new people and also to know some of the faces of the Athletic Department,” Barber said.
“I think that when the students are involved and actually go to the games, it motivates the athletes to do a great job,” Barber said. “I also think that by students going to the games, it shows our support for not only the teams, but also Nicholls as a University.”