Marathon Petroleum named title sponsor for 3A North Region basketball tournament

FORT DEFIANCE – In lieu of $15,000, the 3A North has a new title sponsor for its upcoming boys and girls basketball regional tournament.

Marathon Petroleum Corp. is taking over as sponsor of the three-day tournament that is scheduled for Feb. 6-8 at the Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance. The announcement was made during a press conference on Jan. 8 in Fort Defiance, which was attended by local entrepreneur Myron Lizer, Window Rock Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Shannon Goodsell and a majority of the athletic directors from the 3A North.

“The Navajo Nation has had a great relationship with Marathon Petroleum Corporation,” said Lizer, who helped secure the sponsorship with Marathon.

“They have businesses on the nation, and they love to be a part of the community,” Lizer said. “This (sponsorship) is part of that.”

In recent years, the 3A North Region Basketball Tournament was sponsored by NTUA Choice Wireless, but that partnership ended after the conclusion of last year’s tournament run.

With that, the 3A North was in need on a new title sponsor as Lizer had some discussions with Window Rock boys basketball coach Ashley Mitchell and Window Rock athletic director Malcolm Young about filling that void. And when the opportunity presented itself, Lizer thought of Marathon.

“I put the idea forward with Marathon, and they liked the idea, so here we are,” Lizer said.

V.J. Smith, the Marathon Petroleum ESG and Stakeholder Engagement Manger, released a statement regarding the partnership, which will offset the cost of hosting the tournament.

“The 3A North Region Tournament plays a vital role on the great Navajo Nation, and we are honored to support as a major sponsor,” the statement read. “This event serves youth in a significant way and brings our community together! We can’t wait to be there!”

According to Smith, Marathon Petroleum and MPLX (Midstream Fuel Logistic & Distribution Services) is always looking to build community ties with its outreach initiatives.

“Our community investment strategy is centered around strengthening communities and helping make people’s lives better,” he said. “We focus on partnerships that reflect the priorities of our community stakeholders, align with our core values, amplify our sustainability strategy and enable us to make a positive, measurable impact.

“Marathon Petroleum provides support for programs related to STEM education, workforce development, sustainability and supporting great events for youth such as the 3A North Region Basketball Championships!”

Without its sponsorship, Goodsell said the 3A North would not be able to host the regional tournament.

“The expenses of the tournament far exceed the revenues that are generated,” Goodsell said. “Just as Mr. Myron Lizer has said, this is a benefit for the community and it’s a benefit for kids. So what Marathon is doing is, they’re not just making an investment in the community, they’re making investment in kids in regards to their participation and their memories of high school.

“A lot of that will be made at this 3A North tournament, and Marathon is a huge part of that,” he added.

And while the tournament is being hosted by the Fighting Scouts, Goodsell wanted to make it clear that next month’s tournament is not a Window Rock High event.

“This is a 3A North tournament,” Goodsell said. “All the proceeds go that way. Window Rock is just hosting.”

Page athletic director Megan Moore expressed her appreciation for Marathon Petroleum for filling in as the tournament sponsor.

“I want to reiterate our appreciation to Marathon for stepping in when there was a gap in sponsorship” Moore said. “You know, we host 3A North tournaments for every single sport, and we try to spread it out across the region. And without sponsorships like Marathon, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We try really hard to make sure our kids feel seen and appreciated.”

Moore said having Marathon step in allows the 3A North to concentrate on supporting its student-athletes in other ways.

“It takes the financial burden off of us to raise the funds to do other things to where we’re able to honor and recognize our student-athletes,” she said. “Like last year, we were able to provide backpacks to every single student-athlete who won a regular season region championship.

“We were able to provide above average medals for our cross-country, track and wrestling championship,” Moore added. “We just couldn’t do all that without sponsors. We can’t thank Marathon enough for stepping up and helping us.”

As for the tournament, the leaders of the 3A North is anticipating a large turnout. With limited parking at the events center, parking is going to be a major issue.

“We’re addressing that by shuttling in our fans,” Window Rock AD Malcolm Young said. “Our district is in full support of hosting this tournament. We’re honored to host it. We have every student service department involved in this. Everyone from the transportation department and the custodial department are on board.”

“A special thanks goes out to not only the high school staff, but also to the Fort Defiance hospital and the county services that are here in our area,” Goodsell added. “They’re allowing us to use their parking lots and for their security guards also, as well, to help monitor those parking facilities, just specifically for this tournament.”

With a tournament of this magnitude, the WRUSD superintendent is suggesting that everyone come early.

“Obviously our parking lot cannot accommodate that many people, so I would recommend you at least come an hour early for every ball game,” Goodsell. “That way you can get to and from the event appropriately, to make sure that you can see your child or your or your grandchild play in that tournament.”

---