Texas Trust Credit Union just joined the growing list of financial co-ops teaming up with athletics.

The $796 million institution in Mansfield, Tex., has been tapped as the official credit union sponsor of the University of Texas at Arlington's Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The seven-year, strategic partnership is the largest sponsorship agreement in UT Arlington athletic program history, the university said.

Through the agreement, Texas Trust gains marketing and promotional rights through the university's athletic programs, officials said.

Texas Trust will open a branch in the university's 20-acre College Park district in spring 2014, place ATMs at various campus locations, and market a variety of UT Arlington-branded debit cards providing cash rewards to the university, the credit union said.

Also as part of the new partnership, Texas Trust will provide financial tools and resources for educational purposes to support the UT Arlington Student Money Management Center, which educates students about money, savings and credit awareness, the credit union said.

“This partnership will strengthen UT Arlington's ability to influence and shape the lives of thousands of young adults by giving them access to financial resources and tools to help them build brighter financial futures,” said Jim Minge, president of the 60,000-member Texas Trust, which recently opened its 13th branch in Arlington.

As a prime sponsor, the Texas Trust brand will be featured through signage, hospitality services and a multi-media advertising program, and will be highly visible throughout the College Park district and College Park Center, a 7,000-seat venue for UT Arlington basketball and women's volleyball games, concerts, commencement ceremonies and special events, the university said.

The partnership was facilitated by Nelligan Sports Marketing of Little Falls, N.J.

Mark Devine, the company's senior vice president, said, “This university-wide partnership is designed to create a fully collaborative business and educational relationship.”