Here for good: STCU and professional baseball.
Two of the Northwest's most loved organizations have teamed up to celebrate baseball and the shared values that make our community great!
In early 2020, STCU was named the official banking partner of the Spokane Indians Baseball Team, forging a partnership that both organizations are committed to for the next 10 years.
While the Indians manage a baseball team — and STCU manages accounts for 230,000 individual members and businesses — the two organizations together are supporting such common causes as support for local veterans of war, financial health for families, restoration of an endangered species, a greener environment, and the legacy of Spokane Tribe of Indians, for which the baseball team was named.
“The values of the Spokane Indians align with mine,” says superfan Charlie Butts.
"The values of the Spokane Indians align with mine," says superfan Charlie Butts. "The baseball team is trying to save a fish species, and sponsors programs that benefit veterans. And who else would have Salish language on their uniforms to recognize and respect the tribe? It's unlike any other sports organization in the world, and STCU is helping."
Some of the community efforts that the Spokane Indians and STCU are involved in include:
- Operation Fly Together - The Spokane Indians, STCU, Innovia, KHQ-TV, and The Spokesman-Review in May 2021 announced a community campaign with Team Fairchild to honor and support local military veterans and operation of the Air Force Base KC-135 tanker. The campaign will build financial support and awareness for a newly created Operation Fly Together Veterans Fund. More
- Redband Rally - A continuing campaign for clean water and preservation of Spokane's signature fish that was one of the first foods of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. More
- Spokane Tribe of Indians - In 2006, the baseball club partnered with the tribe on a rebranding of the team's logo and began wearing a uniform that used the name "Spokane" in the tribe's native Salish language — a first among professional sports teams in the United States. Tribal markers, documenting the history of the tribe, are located in Avista Stadium to help educate fans on the tribal culture and Indians partnership.
- Zero Waste campaign - The baseball team is part of a growing greening sports movement, joining the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, and others to encourage composting and recycling at the ballpark. More
- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - Every year, the Spokane Indians donate more than $5,000 in tickets to families and organizations. More
STCU is honored to be the home team's business banker, freeing the ball club to focus on the fun stuff, like Bark in the Park Night.
"We love having STCU as part of our team," says Otto Klein, Spokane Indians senior vice president. "The next 10 years, with Spokane Indians baseball, are going to be the most wonderful, and STCU is going to be here with us the entire way."
Spokane Indians: 100+ years of baseball.
During a restructuring of minor league baseball in 2020, the Spokane Indians became the High-A West league affiliate for the Colorado Rockies. In the past, the club also has been affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and California Angels.
“The one constant through all the years has been baseball." - Field of Dreams”
Spokane's minor league history dates to 1892, when it fielded a team in the Pacific Northwest League. The team was named the Indians in 1903 and played in various leagues on and off again for the next 60 years. The 1970 Indians, managed by Tommy Lasorda, won 94 of 146 games (.644) in the regular season with future major league stars Bill Buckner, Steve Garvey, Bobby Valentine, Charlie Hough, and others.
STCU: here for good since 1934.
STCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with 38 branch locations, $5.8 billion in total assets, and more than 284,000 members. Founded by Spokane schoolteachers in 1934, STCU is committed to supporting education, the arts, and the community. More about STCU.