Kangaroo Express Becomes Official C-store of the Big South

CARY, N.C. — Kangaroo Express is going back to college.

The locally based retailer inked a two-year corporate partner sponsorship with the Big South Conference. The agreement marks the first time Kangaroo Express has teamed up with a college athletic group.

"Supporting students in our own backyard through this unique partnership program is just one way Kangaroo Express strives to empower the communities in which we serve," said Gordon Schmidt, senior vice president of operations for Kangaroo Express. "Working with the Big South Conference this year, we aim to reward and empower students across the Southeast working hard to pursue their degrees."

With this sponsorship, Kangaroo Express will be recognized as the "Official Convenience Store" of the Big South Conference.

The main component of the arrangement is a scholarship contest conducted exclusively through the Kangaroo Express mobile app. Scholarships will be awarded to one student from each of the 11 Big South member institutions. The winner from each school will be randomly selected and announced at the VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Basketball Championships March 3-8.

Kangaroo Express also receives entitlement of a new conference-wide Fan of the Year "Selfie" promotion during the upcoming college basketball season. In addition, the retailer will provide Military Appreciation Event sponsorship at member institutions, as well as branding and multimedia exposure. 

Kangaroo Express is also surprising Big South students with free ROO Cups and other great giveaways during the annual Big South Back to School Campus Tour that visits all 11 Big South member institutions.

"We love Kangaroo Express' commitment to support students as it is a great fit for the student-athlete-centered Big South Conference," said Big South Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander. "Our partnership with Kangaroo Express will go a long way as we strive to develop leaders through athletics, and we are so appreciative of their commitment to the Big South."

Kangaroo Express is the primary operating banner of The Pantry Inc. As of July 30, The Pantry operated 1,525 stores in 13 states under select banners.

The Big South Conference is based in Charlotte. Its 11 full-time member associations are Campbell University, Gardner-Webb University, High Point University and UNC-Asheville in North Carolina; Charleston Southern University, Coastal Carolina University, Presbyterian College and Winthrop University in South Carolina; and Liberty University, Longwood University and Radford University in Virginia.