Somerset, NJ -- The Northeast Conference (NEC) today announced that it has reached a multi-year sponsorship agreement with The Provident Bank, an institution that operates a network of full-service branches through northern and central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.  Highlighting this agreement, Provident Bank will be recognized as the presenting sponsor of the NEC’s prestigious annual Student-Athlete of the Year Awards. This honor recognizes individual excellence in the areas of academics and athletics, as well as leadership and contributions to one’s community. 
 
“Provident Bank is excited to be named as the NEC’s newest corporate sponsor,” said Pamela Jasones, area manager at Provident Bank. “We look forward to supporting the teams in our footprint, along with serving as the presenting sponsor of the NEC’s Student-Athlete of the Year Awards recognizing individual excellence in both the academic and athletic realms as well as leadership and contributions to one’s community.” 
 
Provident Bank will maintain a significant presence during all NEC televised basketball and football games, including naming rights to the Scholar-Athlete of the Game feature and LED courtside signage during basketball season.   
 
“The NEC welcomes Provident Bank to our family of Corporate Partners,” said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris.  “Their support of the NEC’s student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to teaming-up with Provident Bank in the years to come.”
 
As an official NEC corporate partner, Provident Bank will receive a number of additional advertising and promotional benefits including banner ads on the NEC website and signage at various league events. 
 
About Provident Bank
The Provident Bank, (www.providentnj.com) a community-oriented bank offering “Commitment you can count on” since 1839 is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:  PFD), which reported assets of $8.75 billion as of June 30, 2015.  With $5.8 billion in deposits, The Provident Bank provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services through its network of branches throughout northern and central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.  The Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company. 
 
To speak with a Provident Bank representative about opening an account, please contact Pam Jasones at 732-297-5126. 
 
About the Northeast Conference
Now in its 35th year, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of 10 institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to four of the largest markets in the United States - New York (#1), Pittsburgh (#23), Baltimore (#27), and Hartford/New Haven (#30).  Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 22 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 14 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Bryant, Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU Brooklyn, Mount St. Mary's, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis Brooklyn, Saint Francis U and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league's official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Google+, all @NECsports.
 
In addition to Provident Bank, other NEC Corporate Partners include Bayer, Choice Hotels International, Daktronics, Franklin Group, GEICO, Hersheypark, NRG Home Solar, Pilot Pen, Snyder’s of Hanover, Task Force Security and W.B. Mason.