PEMBROKE – Athletics department officials at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke announced on Friday afternoon that they have extended their partnership with Legacy Foods, Inc. and McDonald's through the conclusion of the 2025-26 athletic season.
 
As part of the 5-year agreement, Legacy Foods, Inc. and McDonald's will partner on a co-branded media campaign in the local region, while also serving as the title sponsor of UNCP Basketball's annual Moonlight Madness which takes place in October. McDonald's will also continue to sponsor several in-game promotions, including the "McDonald's T-Shirt Toss" during each football and basketball home game, as well as the "McDonald's Lucky Inning" at each baseball and softball home game.
 
"McDonald's, Legacy Foods, Inc., and the Rust family have been ardent supports of UNCP Athletics for 10 years, and we are ecstatic that they continue to support our more than 400 student-athletes and their Championship Experience at UNCP," said Jack "Bull" Slavin, Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing Partnerships.
 
Kenneth Rust is the owner and operator of seven area McDonald's restaurants – two in Lumberton, two in Whiteville, and one each in the communities of St. Pauls, Fairmont and Pembroke - and serves as the president and treasurer of Legacy Foods, Inc., which is headquartered in Lumberton. An owner/operator for more than 20 years, Rust and his wife, Lisa, are both actively involved and financial contributors to several community organizations, including schools, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and churches. Rust is also involved in the operations of all of his restaurants and works closely with all of his employees.
 
Kenneth Rust received the Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award in 2016 which is presented annually and is the most prestigious award McDonald's owner/operators can receive. He has previously won the corporation's Customer Obsessed Award, which recognizes leadership and excellence in customer service, and the Outstanding Operations Contributor Award, which recognizes contributions to the McDonald's Operations teams.
 
"We are so proud to continue our partnership with UNCP as we begin our second decade of sponsoring Braves Athletics," he said.