The newly opened Dunkin’ Donuts on Rosecrans is partnering with PLNU athletics by offering free donuts and $1 coffee when the university’s sports teams win games.
“They [Dunkin’ Donuts] really are supportive of our athletic department and our teams,” said Brian Thornton, PLNU Senior Associate Athletic Director. “They have a passion for helping us in the athletics, and we can help them drive some traffic into their store and let people know they’re there, and have some fun. Their head and heart are in the right spots for sure.”
Any time a team in any sport wins a game, students can bring their PLNU ID into the Dunkin’ Donuts store and receive a $1 medium coffee, hot or iced.
“As a Dunkin’ Donuts fan, I like the partnership because it combines two things I love, sports and coffee,” said kinesiology graduate student, Cassie Kelley. “I also like that I can benefit from it even when the teams are on the road.”
If a slam dunk happens during a men’s basketball game, Dunkin’ Donuts gives out free donuts. Similarly, at women’s basketball games, if the team makes six three-point shots (spelling out D-U-N-K-I-N), then everyone gets free donuts.
At baseball games, a player from the opposing team is selected to be the “K-man,” and if he strikes out, then everyone gets free donuts.
“The chance for free donuts just from a dunk or an opposing player striking out in baseball hopefully gets people to the games excited to see that happen,” said Kelley.
Thornton said promotions for fall sports, such as soccer and volleyball, are being planned as well.
“We’re hoping that people remember to check the website and see if we’ve won any games,” said Thornton. “Somebody is playing almost every day, home or away. Any day you want a coffee, check the website cause there’s a good chance it’s gonna be a buck. We have been winning a lot so that’s good. Who doesn’t like donuts, right?”
Greg Dono, president of Burton Foods who oversees the new Dunkin’ Donuts store, said that so far the response to the partnership has been positive.
“We just want to be good neighbors,” said Dono, “and see if we can just help out by keeping college students incaffeinated in order to pursue their studies.”
PLNU athletics partners with various local businesses, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Oggie’s and Chik-Fil-A, to name a few. According to Thornton, partnerships help make the sporting events more exciting and help bring students in and keep them engaged.
“We make sure that when we put together a sponsorship package like this that we are doing it with the experience of our student athletes and our students in mind first,” said Thornton. “That’s our priority. And this [partnership] just fits perfectly.”
Dono said he is looking forward to what the partnership will bring for both the store and PLNU.
“We’re just really happy to be in Point Loma,” said Dono. “We think the area is amazing. The sports games are awesome, you guys are doing great, and we’re excited for you guys to have more wins so we can give more coffee and donuts to you.”
Dunkin’ Donuts is located at 1770 Rosecrans Street
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