By Lian Bunny, SBU ’17
St. Bonaventure University’s men’s rugby team has secured its first corporate sponsor, Pressure Components Inc., thanks to Robert Sims, ’83, PCI vice president.
“When approached about becoming an official two-year sponsor I jumped at the chance,” said Sims. “Why? Simply put, to give back to the game, club and school I love.”
PCI is a fluid power industry company based in Solon, Ohio. The firm has marketed highly engineered projects, clamping systems, valves gauges and diagnostic fittings for 30 years. Sims has been a company partner since 1998.
Sims said the company is also very involved with rugby in the Cleveland area at the youth and high school levels.
Sims played rugby for four years during his time at Bonaventure, serving as team captain his junior and senior years. He then played for the Bonaventure rugby alumni team.
Clarence Picard, director of annual giving, said the support from PCI is a major step forward for the men’s rugby program.
“To have PCI come on board as our first official corporate sponsor is both exciting and timely,” Picard said. “As we compete against some of the leading rugby programs in the Northeast in Rugby East, we count on organizations like PCI and alumni like Bob Sims to help drive us toward success.”
The sponsorship – $5,000 over two years – will equip the players with high quality jerseys, shorts and socks. The team’s jerseys will now display the PCI logo along with the Bona Wolf and Rugby East logos.
“My desire has always been to support [the team] and other rugby interests from a very low profile position with minimal exposure,” Sims said. “I like to give back to the game I love and that’s the true reward.”