Zappos.com and Cardinal Athletics team up for $1.5 Million partnership to benefits fans
August 22, 2019 | General
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Zappos.com, the customer service company that just happens to sell shoes, clothing and more online from its home in Las Vegas, Nev. and warehouses in Kentucky, has committed $1.5 million to University of Louisville Athletics.
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"Being a good community member is extremely important to us and that includes our family here in Kentucky," said Justin Brown, Senior Director of Operations at Zappos.com. "Since we're a company obsessed with providing the best customer service, what better way than contributing to their comfort while coming out to cheer on our Cardinals."
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"We sincerely appreciate the support from Zappos.com," said Vince Tyra, UofL Vice President and Director of Athletics. "We share common goals and values and I know that it was important for them to give back to our community. This gift helps to address a specific need with the funds serving as a primary source for the refurbishing of our stadium seats."
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The five-year commitment will be recognized with the Zappos name emblazoned above the Cardinal Stadium field suites and, starting immediately,  this gift will provide funding to refurbish approximately 37,800 lower bowl seats in Cardinal Stadium that were among the original equipment installed during the 1998 stadium construction. Over the past 21 years, weather has faded the seats from their original red color. An industrial UV protective coating will be applied on the existing seats through a special process to restore the color and strengthen the seats. With the cost to replace the seats at over $6.5 million, the UV coating is a valid solution.
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In addition to the seats color losing their luster, the extra stock to replace damaged seats has been exhausted. In conjunction with the seat-coating project, all of the 3,000 bucket-style seats in Ulmer Stadium (softball) and Jim Patterson Stadium (baseball) will be replaced with new slat-back seats. About 1,000 of the extracted seats will also be coated with the UV protection and kept in storage as reserve stock for Cardinal Stadium.
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The refurbishing and coating process has already begun, but will not be completed prior to kickoff for the Cardinals' Sept. 2 season opener against Notre Dame. Any seats not refurbished by the start of the season will continue to be done between games as the season progresses.
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About Zappos.com
Established in 1999, Zappos.com is a leading customer service company and innovator in online retail, company culture, and organizational evolution. Specializing in shoes, clothing, and more, Zappos WOWs customers through its legendary 365-day return policy, fast/free shipping, and 24/7 friendly service. To learn more about how Zappos shares its unique culture with the world, visit ZapposInsights.com. Zappos.com, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc.
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"Being a good community member is extremely important to us and that includes our family here in Kentucky," said Justin Brown, Senior Director of Operations at Zappos.com. "Since we're a company obsessed with providing the best customer service, what better way than contributing to their comfort while coming out to cheer on our Cardinals."
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"We sincerely appreciate the support from Zappos.com," said Vince Tyra, UofL Vice President and Director of Athletics. "We share common goals and values and I know that it was important for them to give back to our community. This gift helps to address a specific need with the funds serving as a primary source for the refurbishing of our stadium seats."
Â
The five-year commitment will be recognized with the Zappos name emblazoned above the Cardinal Stadium field suites and, starting immediately,  this gift will provide funding to refurbish approximately 37,800 lower bowl seats in Cardinal Stadium that were among the original equipment installed during the 1998 stadium construction. Over the past 21 years, weather has faded the seats from their original red color. An industrial UV protective coating will be applied on the existing seats through a special process to restore the color and strengthen the seats. With the cost to replace the seats at over $6.5 million, the UV coating is a valid solution.
Â
In addition to the seats color losing their luster, the extra stock to replace damaged seats has been exhausted. In conjunction with the seat-coating project, all of the 3,000 bucket-style seats in Ulmer Stadium (softball) and Jim Patterson Stadium (baseball) will be replaced with new slat-back seats. About 1,000 of the extracted seats will also be coated with the UV protection and kept in storage as reserve stock for Cardinal Stadium.
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The refurbishing and coating process has already begun, but will not be completed prior to kickoff for the Cardinals' Sept. 2 season opener against Notre Dame. Any seats not refurbished by the start of the season will continue to be done between games as the season progresses.
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About Zappos.com
Established in 1999, Zappos.com is a leading customer service company and innovator in online retail, company culture, and organizational evolution. Specializing in shoes, clothing, and more, Zappos WOWs customers through its legendary 365-day return policy, fast/free shipping, and 24/7 friendly service. To learn more about how Zappos shares its unique culture with the world, visit ZapposInsights.com. Zappos.com, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc.
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