PEMBROKE – Athletics department officials from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke announced Monday morning that they have extended their partnership with the Town of Pembroke through the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year.
 
As part of the 3-year agreement, the Town of Pembroke will serve as the presenting sponsor for the football team's American Indian Heritage Day contest on November 6, and will have significant access to College Colors/910 Day on September 4.
 
"The Town is excited to continue our support of UNCP student-athletes and UNCP athletics," said Mayor Greg Cummings. "The Town of Pembroke is committed to working collaboratively to ensure the success of UNCP. We look forward to cheering on our Braves on game day. Go Braves!"
 
Named 2017 Small Town of the Year at the annual Rural Assembly hosted by the NC Rural Center, the Town of Pembroke already has a strong working relationship with UNCP and its Entrepreneurship Incubator and recently unveiled a master revitalization plan that will unite the commercial district and UNCP by adding sidewalks, lighting, bicycle lanes and streetscaping to improve pedestrian access to the heart of downtown Pembroke.
 
A growing community of just more than 3,000 residents, Pembroke is regarded as the social, political, cultural and commercial center for the Lumbee Tribe, the largest American Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River, with more than 55,000 members.
 
"We are elated to continue our partnership with the Town of Pembroke," said Assistant Athletics Director Jack "Bull" Slavin. "The Town of Pembroke, obviously, plays an innate role to the success of UNC Pembroke as well as UNCP Athletics, so this is a natural partnership that will only help to build on the continued success of our department, as well as the success stories of our more than 400 student-athletes."