Introducing Wellmark BlueCross & BlueShield Field:  Home Field of the Iowa Barnstormers

The locally-owned Iowa Barnstormers today announced the arena football team has joined with a pillar of the Des Moines business community in a multi-year agreement to rename Barnstormers Field Turf as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Field as the team prepares for Monday’s return of arena football to Iowa.

“The support for the Barnstormers from all corners of the community has been overwhelming,” said Jeff Lamberti, Barnstormers team president. “The Barnstormers plan on being a fixture in central Iowa for years to come and entering into a flagship collaboration with a respected corporate citizen like Wellmark is a true win for our fans, central Iowa and the entire Barnstormers family.”

Lamberti noted a natural connection exists between Wellmark and the Barnstormers, “Who better to promote the benefits and importance of healthy habits and overall personal wellness than the professional athletes who are the Barnstormers.”

The team also revealed that Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield will also be the exclusive sponsor of Monday’s home opener as the first 5,000 attendees to the game will receive a commemorative “The Boys are Back” Barnstormers Rally Towel that displays the distinctive Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Field logo.

“We are excited to be able to help bring the Barnstormers home,” said Dave Southwell, Group Vice President, Financial Officer and Treasurer with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “This new relationship exemplifies our ongoing commitment to downtown Des Moines and the entire state of Iowa.”

Lamberti said the Barnstormers are planning a formal pre-game ceremony preceding the team’s April 26 home game against Stockton as four new turf logos will be placed onto the field with the distinctive Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Field logo.

Wellmark, Inc. (www.wellmark.com) does business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa.  Wellmark and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, including Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., insure or pay health benefit claims for more than two million members in Iowa and South Dakota.  Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 

The Iowa Barnstormers’ home opener is 7:05 p.m. Monday, April 14 against visiting Lexington. The famous Barnstormers Pregame Tailgate Party starts at 4:00 p.m. in the North Parking Lot of Vets Auditorium. Season tickets are still available and start as low as $80 and can be ordered at www.theiowabarnstormers.com or (515) 633-BALL.