UW-Superior Athletics has announced National Bank of Commerce, the largest locally-owned, full-service community bank serving Northwest Wisconsin and Northeast Minnesota, will sign on and return as the title sponsor for the 2018 Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Classic.
 
"We can't overstate how important corporate partners are to Yellowjacket Athletics. Their support goes a long way in helping us fulfill our department mission and provide an outstanding experience for our student-athletes," said UW-Superior Athletics Director Nick Bursik. "National Bank of Commerce is one of our great local businesses that understands the value of our programs and what we bring to the community. We wouldn't be able to do the things we do without local support like we receive from NBC."
 
The Ninth Annual Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Classic will be held November 9 and 10 at Mertz Mortorelli Gym on the UW-Superior campus. Participating schools in addition to UW-Superior include Finlandia University (Hancock, Mich.), Lawrence University (Appleton, Wis.) and former WIAC foe UW-Stout.
 
"The Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Classic embodies the competitive spirit of our community and is a warmup to the Yellowjacket sports season ahead. Each season is a new opportunity to grow in skill and maturity for what lies ahead – a time to be tested," said Bruce Thompson, Community Bank President for National Bank of Commerce. "We are proud to sponsor a tournament named in honor of someone who represented education, athletics, positive energy, and optimism for a better future."
 
Merrill Thompson was a longtime educator and community leader in Superior and Douglas County. He was also a basketball enthusiast. A graduate of UW-Superior, Thompson enjoyed a lifelong passion for basketball, and Yellowjacket basketball in particular.
 
Learn more about Merrill Thompson and the event's history by visiting the Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Classic page.
 
About National Bank of Commerce: The National Bank of Commerce (NBC) has enjoyed a long and prosperous history. The bank was originally chartered as Union National Bank of Superior on February 7, 1934. It replaced the already closed United States National Bank. It officially opened for business on April 16, 1934. Only a year and a half later, Union National Bank purchased the American Exchange Bank on December 31, 1935. Five years after that, the bank took another important step by changing its name and location when it purchased the National Bank of Commerce of Superior, and changed its legal name to National Bank of Commerce in Superior. In September 1972, NBC purchased the Poplar State Bank and its branch in Solon Springs, Wisconsin, and established both as branches.

Then, in 1979, NBC began construction on its new bank building in Superior. Built at 1127 Tower Avenue, it was just down the block from the previous location. After NBC moved into the new bank in 1980, it continually grew each year. But in 1998, the bank took the necessary steps to ensure unlimited growth. A holding company was established—NATCOM Bancshares, Inc. Only two years later, a new location was opened at 1314 E Superior St. in Duluth, Minnesota. This office would be NBC's first outside the state lines of Wisconsin. Since then, NBC has continued to grow with its newest locations opening in Superior—Midtown at 2822 Tower Ave. in March 2003 and in Hermantown at 4105 Richard Ave. in December 2004. NBC purchased Community Bank in November, 2008, and merged the two banks and their staff.