Food City and King University are working together to help provide expanded access to resources benefiting success and wellness for Tornado student-athletes.

Announced during the opening ceremony for King’s new Track & Field complex on Aug. 26, 2024, the five-year, $50,000 sponsorship from Food City will help provide financial and in-kind resources to help develop greater mental health advocacy, as well as bolster instruction in fitness, nutrition, and leadership skills.

Such instruction has become an integral part of athletic training, emphasizing wellness of mind in addition to physical health and strength.

“Lots of our student-athletes are pursuing degrees in areas like nursing, business, and education, and investing their skills here at home,” said VP for Athletics David Hicks. “It’s great to see Food City committed to helping them have a great education and experience here at King, and helping boost the overall quality of life in our region as a result.”

The sponsorship will extend through the 2028-29 academic year.

For more information on King’s athletic activities, visit www.kingtornado.com. 

Front row, left to right: Eric Sandefur, Food City Store Manager; King President Andy Tooley, Ph.D.; Lisa Johnson, Food City Special Events Coordinator; Jacob Ratliff, Food City Store Manager; and King VP of Athletics David Hicks, plus a cartload of King student-athletes.

About King University

King University is a Presbyterian-affiliated, doctoral-level comprehensive university. Founded in 1867 as King College, the University offers more than 90 majors, minors, pre-professional degrees, and concentrations in fields such as business, nursing, law, medical and health sciences, pharmacy, education, and humanities. Graduate programs are offered in business administration, education, and nursing. A number of research, off-campus learning opportunities, and travel destinations are also available. King University is a NCAA Division II and a Conference Carolinas member with 29 varsity sports. For more information about King University, visit www.king.edu. 

About Food City

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 157 retail outlets (including 122 pharmacies) throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.