NFL Players Association Announces Partnership with RisingSeniors.com

NFLPA tailors Training Camp for Life, a character and skills development program for the Inaugural Georgia Junior Bowl Game

The top junior high school football players in Georgia will get treated like the NFL’s best when they attend the first RisingSeniors.com event in Atlanta, January 4 to8, 2011. The unique five-day summit has an unprecedented format which concentrates on the overall education and development of these young athletes rather than just the game. The culminating contest known as The Georgia Junior Bowl will feature the best juniors in the state at Bobby Dodd Stadium on the campus of Georgia Tech. The game is but a fraction of the programming compared to the rest of the action packed week of events slated for the young student athletes. In compliance with the NCAA, the programs will be run just like the NFL’s Rookie Symposium to focus on key issues that deal with character and life skills development. The program was designed to assist the young men with the challenges which lie ahead as they will attend workshops on NCAA compliance, ACT and SAT test prep, drug-free sports, social media training, alternate careers in sports and choices and consequences. There will also be a special session on giving back to the community presented by Danny Wurfel, former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Legend.

“It is imperative we educate these student-athletes on the life skills required to be prepared for the college transition and life after football,” said Willis Whalen, NFLPA Manager of Player Services and Development and Training Camp for Life creator. “The Georgia Junior Bowl provides Training Camp for Life with the unique platform to reach a key audience. We hope to provide these juniors with the tools that they need to be successful both on and off the field.”

“After attending the Rookie Symposium as an NFL draftee, I see what an impact this program could have on high school student athletes at this critical time in their lives,” said Izell Reese, current Vice President of the NFLPA Atlanta Chapter and former NFL Player (Cowboys, Broncos, Bills). “That is why I partnered with Joe Burns (Buffalo Bills) to create this much needed educational program. We are astounded by the support and participation we have already received from the community and other organizations.”

The NFL Players Association, joins Rawlings who has agreed to become the official football helmet and apparel sponsor of the football event. Other partners include Curing Kids Cancer (Official Community Service partner), Desire Street Ministries, The Atlanta Sports Council and The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

About the NFLPA:
The NFL Players Association is the exclusive collective bargaining agent for all players employed by clubs of the National Football League. Founded in 1956, the NFLPA works to ensure that the rights and interests of NFL players are protected. In addition, the NFLPA strives to be a valuable resource and to maximize player opportunities on and off the field through membership programs and community activities. For further information, visit www.nflplayers.com.

About RisingSeniors.com
RisingSeniors.com is an educational program created to better assist high school junior student-athletes with their athletic, academic and social development. With many athletes ill-equipped for the college recruiting process, RisingSeniors.com’s mission is to prepare the student-athlete and their parents for their senior year, college and beyond. Students and their parents are selected to participate in a series of life skills seminars and an all star game at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium on January 8th, 2011. For more information please visit www.risingseniors.com, RisingSeniors Facebook page, phone at 678-528-4141 or via email at info@risingseniors.com.

College Football Hall of Fame Relocation to Atlanta Making Great Strides

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The project to relocate the College Football Hall of Fame to Atlanta is making significant progress towards realizing the goal of creating a new immersive and interactive attraction that will celebrate the college football game day experience in a way never before seen.

“This new home of college football will be a true celebration of the sport, evoking all the emotions of the game day experience.”

Atlanta Hall Management, Inc. – the newly formed non-profit created to oversee the construction and management of the new facility – today made a number of announcements related to its continuing progress.

“We’ve achieved an incredible amount in planning what will be a highly entertaining, engaging and memorable attraction,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Hall Management and Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO. “This new home of college football will be a true celebration of the sport, evoking all the emotions of the game day experience.”

First among those was the selection of two finalist sites still under consideration for the new facility. Both sites are located in downtown Atlanta in close proximity to Centennial Olympic Park and the city’s core of museums and attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.

The first finalist site, owned by InterPark, encompasses 34,000 square feet and is located at the corner of Harris St. and Centennial Olympic Park Drive. The site is currently being used as a parking lot.

The second finalist site, owned by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, is a 2.7-acre parking lot adjacent to Hall A of the Georgia World Congress Center convention complex, one-half block south of Centennial Olympic Park.

“We literally looked at dozens of possible sites to narrow it down to these two,” Stokan said. “Each site has its unique benefits and both will offer exciting opportunities for the grand opening of the new College Football Hall of Fame in March 2013.”

Atlanta Hall Management (AHM) is continuing to vet the two sites and is expected to make a final selection later this year with construction of the 50,000 square-foot, $50 million facility expected to be completed in March 2013.

AHM’s final agreement with the National Football Foundation, which was signed in July, provides an official license and empowers AHM to oversee all aspects of the project and provides rights to use the name “College Football Hall of Fame.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the amount of progress our partners in Atlanta have achieved,” said Steve Hatchell, National Football Foundation president and CEO. “Together, we have assembled a team of experts in every discipline necessary to deliver on the vision we all share for the new College Football Hall of Fame.”

Fundraising efforts continue to progress ahead of expectations. AHM announced that $31.5 million of the estimated $50 million has already been committed to the project.

Current financial commitments include $10 million in general obligation bonds from the State of Georgia, $5 million from the Chick-fil-A Bowl, $5 million from Chick-fil-A, Inc., $2.5 million from Coca-Cola, $1 million from the City of Atlanta’s ADA Economic Development Fund and up to $8 million in cash netting from $25 million in new market tax credits through the Atlanta Development Authority.

“With the funding currently in place, our goal to open the new College Football Hall of Fame is off to an incredibly positive start. We haven’t even gone into the marketplace with our sponsorship packages yet,” Stokan said. “The reality is that this will be a very attractive and dynamic asset for companies looking for a solid return on their investment.”

In addition to its cash commitment, Atlanta-based Coca-Cola has also committed several million dollars in marketing assets including Web, digital media and cross-promotional activities.

Chick-fil-A was the first company to commit as a corporate partner in the project, adding the Hall to its current college football sponsorships anchored by the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. “We identified the College Football Hall of Fame early as a ‘can’t-miss’ opportunity,” said Steve Robinson, chief marketing officer for Chick-fil-A. “It fits perfectly into our portfolio of college sports properties because college fans have the high level of passion and loyalty we’re looking for.”

With the construction phase of the project expected to begin in August 2011, AHM disclosed its development team consisting of architects, real estate developer/program managers and exhibit designers.

TVS Design of Atlanta will serve as lead architects as a part of a joint venture with Turner Associates of Atlanta. Cousins Properties and Gude Management, another Atlanta-based joint venture, will perform the roles of developer and program manager. Gallagher and Associates of Washington D.C. will design the exhibit experience and work closely with TVS Design and Turner Associates to achieve an integrated look and feel with the building architecture.

During the approximate two-year construction process, the College Football Hall of Fame project will generate an estimated $91 million in economic impact for Georgia, while creating an estimated 884 jobs in metro Atlanta and will generate an estimated $4.9 million in state taxes for Georgia. The construction phase is also expected to generate $1.8 million in city tax revenue for Atlanta a study commissioned by Central Atlanta Progress stated.

“This will be a huge financial windfall for Atlanta and Georgia at a time when no one else is creating jobs,” Stokan said. “It will also provide a new tax revenue stream at a time when state sales tax revenues have declined.”

The College Football Hall of Fame relocation project was originally spearheaded by the Chick-fil-A Bowl, in partnership with the National Football Foundation. Representatives from the two organizations first announced plans to relocate the Hall to Atlanta from its current home in South Bend, Ind. last September.

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Petit commits $1.5 million cornerstone gift to GSU Athletics

Georgia State University hasn't played a football game yet, but the program has scored a key victory as alumnus and long-time benefactor Parker H. "Pete" Petit has made a $1.5 million commitment toward the GSU Football Practice Complex, representing the largest gift ever made to GSU athletics.

Head coach Bill Curry and the Panthers are preparing for their inaugural season, which kicks off Sept. 2 at the Georgia Dome. Team members begin preseason drills Wednesday.

Petit, who received his MBA from Georgia State's J. Mack Robinson College of Business, is chairman and chief executive officer of MiMedx Group, Inc., an integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of biomaterial-based products. He previously served as chairman and CEO of Atlanta-based Matria Healthcare and other Healthdyne-related companies.

"I believe that having football at Georgia State University will provide numerous benefits for the students and the University," said Petit. "Under Coach Bill Curry, Panther football will add a new dimension to the excitement and enthusiasm that students will feel about their University experience.

"Coach Curry's character and leadership align exactly with that of President Mark Becker and the existing administration at GSU. This football program will create a more complete college experience at GSU, and it will certainly act as a catalyst for continuing the growth of the University."

Becker said, "'Pete' has been a loyal friend of Georgia State University for many years. He is a champion of higher education as evidenced by his gift to our Science Center, and we are deeply grateful for this cornerstone gift supporting GSU football."

"It is only fitting that 'Pete' is making this historic gift as we literally kick off our football program," said GSU Director of Athletics Cheryl L. Levick. "What an exciting week this is, with our inaugural team reporting to campus and beginning practice as we build toward our historic opening game on Sept. 2."

Located adjacent to campus at 188 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, the GSU Football Practice Complex features a 100-yard synthetic turf field and a 60-yard natural turf field with lights. The synthethic field was completed in March and utilized by the Panthers during spring practice, and the natural turf field is now also available for practice.

An existing structure on the property is being renovated and expanded to create a headquarters for Panther football, including a locker room for the team, as well as a state-of-the art weight room, expansive meeting space, an equipment room and an athletic training room.

The meeting rooms will be utilized by the Panthers this season, with the remaining phases to be completed as funding permits.

"The educational aspect of this project has been substantial, and one of the main instructors has been 'Pete' Petit," said Curry. "His unique involvement will enable us to provide our student-athletes with the facilities they need to be successful.

"'Pete' has been an inspiration to me for many years, and I am delighted to have him on our team."

The GSU Football Practice Complex will also be utilized by the University's new marching band, which debuts this fall.

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UGA offers guaranteed gameday parking on campus for $120

 University of Georgia Parking Services is selling season long parking permits in the Carlton Street Parking Deck, North Campus Parking Deck and the Performing Arts Center Parking Deck for all six 2010 home football games.

Passes cost $120 plus shipping and handling and are sold exclusively at http://gamedaygameplan.com/ until 5 p.m. on Aug. 25. They will be sold on a first-come first-served basis.

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NFL Ticket Exchange by Ticketmaster Launches for Super Bowl XLIV

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building on the record success of its regular-season and post-season sales, the National Football League (NFL) and Ticketmaster are taking the NFL Ticket Exchange to South Florida for Super Bowl XLIV.

“The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events of the year and for thousands of football fans from around the world, it’s the game they’ve always dreamed of attending”

Powered by Ticketmaster, the Official Ticket Exchange of the NFL provides fans with the ability to buy and sell tickets for Super Bowl XLIV through a convenient and secure, league-approved marketplace with the exclusive ability to electronically validate every ticket sold. Fans can access the NFL Ticket Exchange online at NFL.com/TicketExchange or by calling 888-635-5944.

Additionally, the NFL and Ticketmaster are providing football fans added convenience and security with two authorized NFL Ticket Exchange retail locations in South Florida. During Super Bowl week, a walk-up retail location for the NFL Ticket Exchange will be open in the Essex House Hotel, 1001 Collins Ave., in South Beach; and on game day, the NFL Ticket Exchange will operate for the very first time from an authorized location at Sun Life Stadium, giving fans the unprecedented opportunity to buy and sell guaranteed authentic Super Bowl tickets at the stadium up until kickoff.

“We are pleased to be able to offer our fans this safe and reliable service for the Super Bowl and, for the first time on game day, at the stadium,” said Neil Glat, the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. “The Super Bowl is unlike any other live entertainment event and we’re looking forward to working with Ticketmaster to offer this valued service to fans.”

“The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events of the year and for thousands of football fans from around the world, it’s the game they’ve always dreamed of attending,” said Greg Consiglio, Ticketmaster’s Executive Vice President of Business Development. “We want to make sure that every fan who wants to experience this celebrated event has the opportunity to purchase guaranteed authentic tickets from a 100% secure marketplace, which is why we’re bringing the NFL Ticket Exchange to South Florida.”

Super Bowl XLIV will be played on February 7, 2010, at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida.

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GSU Athletics announces football ticket plans, changes to 2010 schedule

Season tickets for the inaugural 2010 Georgia State football season at the Georgia Dome will go on sale on Monday, Dec. 7 at 8 a.m.

The 2010 schedule, which kicks off at the Georgia Dome on Thursday, Sept. 2 versus Shorter, now includes seven home games with the addition of Lamar. The Panthers, coached by Bill Curry, will now host Lamar on Nov. 6, while the home game against Lambuth has been moved to Sept. 11. The Panthers also host Jacksonville State (Sept. 18), Morehead State (Oct. 2), Savannah State (Oct. 9), and North Carolina Central (Oct. 16).

"The response to our new football program has been overwhelmingly positive every step of the way, and the Georgia State community is anxious to be a part of history in our inaugural season," said Director of Athletics Cheryl L. Levick. "Not only will our fans be able to cheer for the first football team in Georgia State history, but they will watch our new marching band and sing our new fight song."

The majority of the lower level seats at the Georgia Dome range in price from $72 - $125 for the seven-game package, with Georgia State faculty and staff receiving a 20 percent discount off those prices. Active military personnel also receive the 20 percent discount.

Premium mid-field season ticket packages range from $150 - $400, including a tax-deductible donation to the Panther Athletics Club (PAC). PAC members will also have the opportunity to purchase priority parking.

Georgia State athletics also announced "The Huddle," an exclusive section of 300 ultra-premium seats located at midfield and priced at $2,500 per pair (must be purchased in pairs). The total cost includes a tax-deductible contribution to the PAC and provides season ticket holders with access to the exclusive Owner's Club, premiere Priority Parking and many other amenities.

Georgia State students will be admitted free with their valid Panther Card identification. A total of 11,217 seats have been reserved for students, including 7,670 in the lower level.

"Taking care of the needs of the Georgia State students was very important in this process," said Kosha Irby, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations. "This is their football team, and their support is crucial to our success."

In addition to traditional student seating, Georgia State will also offer students the opportunity to upgrade to a reserved seat for just $35. This option should appeal to GSU's professional and non-traditional students, Irby said.

"We want to immerse Georgia State football in the Atlanta community," said Irby. "We are offering the opportunity to see exciting college football in a first-class facility at a variety of price points, making Georgia State football a great value.

"Our games will be accessible to alumni of any age, to faculty and staff, to families, to local businesses and of course to our student body."

Fans can begin purchasing tickets Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. by calling the Georgia State ticket office at 1.866.GA.STATE or online at www.GeorgiaStateSports.com.

On that day, Georgia State Athletics will open the Sports Arena from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for those who wish to purchase their tickets in person. Refreshments will be served, the Georgia State football coaches and cheerleaders will be on hand, and door prizes will be offered, including authentic mini-helmets.

Fans who have already made season ticket deposits will be contacted by ticket office staff to select their price point. Seat selection for all price levels, including priority seats, will take place next spring.

2010 INAUGURAL GEORGIA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Thursday Sept. 2 SHORTER GEORGIA DOME
Saturday Sept. 11 LAMBUTH GEORGIA DOME
Saturday Sept. 18 JACKSONVILLE STATE GEORGIA DOME
Saturday Sept. 25 at Campbell Buies Creek, N.C.
Saturday Oct. 2 MOREHEAD STATE GEORGIA DOME
Saturday Oct. 9 SAVANNAH STATE GEORGIA DOME
Saturday Oct. 16 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL GEORGIA DOME
Saturday Oct. 23 at Old Dominion Norfolk, Va.
Saturday Oct. 30 at South Alabama Mobile, Ala.
Saturday Nov. 6 LAMAR GEORGIA DOME
Saturday Nov. 20 at Alabama Tuscaloosa, Ala.

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"Countdown to Touchdown" with the Panthers

Georgia State students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans are invited to join the Panther football program to begin the official “Countdown to Touchdown” on Wednesday, Sept. 2 – exactly one year before Georgia State’s inaugural football game.

The Countdown to Touchdown pep rally and press conference will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Georgia State Student Center Ballroom.

Georgia State President Mark Becker, Director of Athletics Cheryl L. Levick and head football coach Bill Curry will be on hand, and the entire Georgia State football team will be introduced for the first time. The team is currently practicing in preparation for their 2010 kickoff.

The event will also feature a preview of Georgia State’s new athletics logos as well as other exciting announcements related to the Panthers’ first football season.

Free t-shirts will be available for anyone who signs up to receive information about Georgia State football tickets.

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UGA to break ground on football training facility expansion

The University of Georgia will break ground on a cutting-edge renovation and expansion of Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, the everyday home of the University’s Athletic Association and football team, at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 11.

“Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall has been a benchmark of excellence,” said Damon Evans, director of athletics at UGA. “Our goal with this expansion that is under way is to build upon that foundation and create the very best football training facility in America. Our university, our fans, and our team deserve nothing less.”

The $39.5 million project will update the 85,000-square-foot complex located at 1 Selig Circle with a synthetic turf-floored multi-purpose room, a student-athlete lounge and a sand-based practice field that uses sustainable design practices.

Completion is expected by May 2011.

Overall, 53,000 square feet will be added to the facility. All new offices will be outfitted with modern technology like a digital video editing suite.

In addition, the expansion will enable Butts-Mehre to house four new Hydroworx therapy pools, an ortho-radiographic digital X-ray system, and two new physical exam rooms.

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Chick-fil-A Kicks Off 2009 College Football Season with FREE Chicken Sandwich Giveaway, Interactive Website for Fans

/PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the second-annual Chick-fil-A Kickoff football game, Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide will offer a free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich to any customer wearing any sports-related apparel on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.

The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, pitting the University of Alabama against Virginia Tech, will be held at 8 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and will be televised nationally on ABC. The following Monday, Sept. 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., customers are encouraged to visit any participating Chick-fil-A restaurant wearing their favorite sports-related apparel to receive a free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich. Appropriate attire includes any article of clothing with a sports team logo - from a little league uniform to a favorite professional or collegiate jersey, hat, t-shirt, socks or other accessory.

"Last year's inaugural Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game was a huge success, and we are thrilled to see the excitement building for this year's event," said Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A's senior vice president of marketing. "This promotion has proved to be a great way to celebrate the beginning of college football season, and what better way to celebrate than giving away the Original Chick-fil-A Sandwich?"

In addition to leveraging the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game broadcast on ABC, Chick-fil-A has developed an online campaign to further promote the sandwich giveaway. On Aug. 24, the chain will launch www.ChickenWave.com where fans can create a virtual version of a stadium fan "wave" for a chance to win various Chick-fil-A prizes. The site incorporates photos of fans' faces and allows users to invite friends to join their "section." The first 250,000 people to join the Wave will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, and the next 750,000 fans who join will receive a coupon for a free Coke Zero. From Aug. 24 - Oct. 31, the chain will conduct a daily drawing among all Chicken Wave users for a $50 Chick-fil-A Gift Card. In addition, Chick-fil-A will reward the largest Wave section with a free 2010 Chick-fil-A Cow Calendar (which includes monthly coupons redeemable for free Chick-fil-A food).

Last year, the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between then No. 9 Clemson and No. 24 Alabama delivered a sold-out Georgia Dome and a prime-time broadcast on ABC, drew the attention of the national media, earned an appearance by ESPN's College GameDay built by the Home Depot and helped springboard Alabama to an eventual No. 1 ranking. The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game also provided each university an academic scholarship of $50,000 Chick-fil-A has also been the title sponsor of the Chick-fil-A Bowl (formerly the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl) since 1997 and has helped grow the event to become one of the most competitive and highly viewed games during the collegiate bowl season.

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Wolves Football Coming Soon

The long off-season is over for the West Georgia Wolves football team and the serious work has begun. Preseason camp started this week with a welcome from Coach Daryl Dickey and his staff to more than 100 players. The team will play their first game on August 29 at Wingate University against the Bulldogs.

The grand opening of University Stadium on the UWG campus and the home opener for the Wolves will take place on Labor Day weekend, September 5. The Wolves will match wits with Lambuth University’s Eagles in new uniforms and with a new attitude.

The word “new” is often used at this time of year and for the Wolves it is more than applicable. With only seven seniors on the roster and a large number of new faces on both sides of the ball, UWG will have more than new uniforms and a new stadium in 2009.

“We’ll be a completely different team than we were last year,” said Dickey. “Not only players will be different but the perception will be, too. The way that we look, the way that we act on the field and the amount of confidence we bring to the games is something we’ve focused on a lot during the off-season.”

As the team takes the field for conditioning and prepares for full contact practice next week, contractors are putting the finishing touches to University Stadium.

The scoreboard is up, the sound booth is built and the seats are in. Fans can purchase season tickets and individual tickets through the Department of Athletics. Full season ticket books are available at $60 for chair back seats in several prime sections and $50 for bleacher seats.
To purchase tickets, e-mail eduffey@westga.edu. For more information on the UWG athletics program, go to http://www.uwgsports.com/. For updates and photographs of the Athletics Complex and University Stadium, visit http://www.westga.edu/~stadium/.

Go Wolves.

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UGA offers guaranteed Gameday parking on campus for $120

University of Georgia Parking Services is selling season long parking permits in the Carlton Street Parking Deck for all six 2009 home football games.

Passes cost $120 plus shipping and handling and are sold exclusively at http://gamedaygameplan.com/ until 5 p.m. Sept. 1. They will be sold on a first-come first-served basis.

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Georgia Southern University Provides Update on Football Bowl Subdivision Feasibility Study

Georgia Southern University last week released its Football Reclassification Analysis as developed under contract by the consulting firm of Rosser International, Inc., McGee-Geiger and CSL International. Prepared to examine and assess the University’s position and potential for elevating its football program to the NCAA Division-I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the document contains an extensive review of facilities, current and future scholarship allotments and budget considerations and comparisons. The study provides a roadmap for activity and minimum necessary funding for reclassification. The full report is available for review www.georgiaSouthern.edu/athleticstudy.

University officials announced plans for a prospective study in November 2007 and initial analysis began in June 2008. Surveys, public forums and meetings with various constituents continued through the early part of 2009. As requested, the consultants reassessed some initial projections to more accurately reflect the current and foreseeable economic landscape.

“With the multitude of factors that had to be analyzed, this study helped the University identify the resources required to succeed at our current level of competition and identify the improvements and facilities needed should the University elect to pursue this change”, said Ron Core, vice president for business and finance. “It is important for us not to underestimate the funding required and at the same time, maintain a realistic perspective of potential funding sources.”

Further analysis and discussion of the research, survey results and funding sources will assist University and athletics department administration in determining a future course of action. The NCAA-mandated moratorium on any reclassification continues through December 2011. Currently, the 15 sports programs sponsored by the University (football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, men’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball) compete at the NCAA Division-I level.

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Emory Teams Up With National Football League Player Care Program

The Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital is one of five hospitals chosen to participate in the NFL’s new spine treatment program for retired players. The program is designed to make specialists available to evaluate and treat spine-related conditions.

Each hospital in the program provides an orthopaedic spine surgeon who serves as program director and coordinates the services of a team of health care professionals in the evaluation and treatment of the former players. The Emory team includes John Heller, MD, orthopaedic surgeon, as program director; Gerald Rodts, MD, neurosurgeon and Michael Schaufele, MD, physiatrist.

“We are pleased to be selected by the NFL as the southeast regional comprehensive spine care program,” says Scott Boden, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery at Emory University School of Medicine and director of the Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center. “Our center has 16 physicians dedicated to every aspect of spine care.”

The program, part of the NFL Player Care Plan, is available to retired players vested under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle pension plan.

Other hospitals selected include Mt. Sinai (New York), UCLA Health Systems (Los Angeles), University of California at San Francisco and Washington University (St. Louis).

In 2008, Emory participated in another program sponsored by the NFL Player Care Plan – a heart screening for retired players.

Interested players should contact the NFL Player Care Plan to connect with the appropriate program director who may initiate a course of treatment.

Retired NFL players may also find additional information on medical and benefits programs at www.nflplayercare.com.
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It's Official: Georgia State Joins CAA Football

The Georgia State University football program has been officially admitted as a member of CAA Football when the Panthers begin conference play in 2012.

Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner Tom Yeager extended the official invitation to Georgia State President Dr. Mark Becker, Director of Athletics Cheryl L. Levick and head coach Bill Curry in a Thursday afternoon news conference on the Georgia State campus.

Kicking off in 2010, the Georgia State football program will play two seasons as an independent before joining CAA Football in 2012. The Panthers will compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as NCAA Division I-AA.

“The inclusion of Georgia State University's program in CAA Football is another important step forward in our journey toward the Fall 2010 inaugural kickoff for GSU Football,” said Becker. “CAA Football has emerged as the premier Football Championship Subdivision conference in the nation, and that athletic success is matched by an exemplary commitment to excellence in academics and scholarship. This is a perfect partnership for Georgia State in every dimension.”

Georgia State began competing in the CAA for all sports in 2005-06. The league, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in the coming year, includes 12 all-sports members: Delaware, Drexel, George Mason, Georgia State, Hofstra, James Madison, Northeastern, Old Dominion, Towson, UNC Wilmington, VCU, William and Mary.

CAA Football currently includes Delaware, Hofstra, James Madison, Northeastern, Towson and William and Mary, along with New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Richmond, Rhode Island and Villanova. Old Dominion begins its football program this fall and then joins CAA Football in 2011, and Georgia State will be the league’s 14th team in 2012.

“We are very excited about Georgia State joining CAA Football in 2012,” said Yeager. “The state of Georgia is known for its passion for college football, and we look forward to welcoming the Panthers into the best FCS conference in the country.”

CAA Football has enjoyed remarkable success at the FCS level, boasting four NCAA championships by four different schools as well as three national championship runners up since 1998.

“On behalf of everyone at Georgia State, we’d like to thank the Colonial Athletic Association and Commissioner Tom Yeager,” said Levick. “The CAA has been a great fit for Georgia State athletics, and it is the perfect home for Panther football.

“The response to Georgia State football has been remarkable. Around campus and throughout the city of Atlanta, there is a positive buzz for our new program. The membership in the CAA is now official, and we are ready to kick off practice in August.”

Five CAA Football programs reached the 16-team NCAA playoffs in 2008, highlighted by national champion Richmond. The league has garnered multiple playoff berths for 18 straight years, including 24 playoff teams and 38 playoff victories over the last seven seasons.
Thirty-nine CAA Football alumni were active on NFL rosters in 2008, including Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback Joe Flacco, a first-round draft choice out of Delaware.

“CAA Football is the best FCS football conference in the country, by record and playoff performance,” said Curry. “The numbers are simply astonishing.

“The opportunity to compete in a conference this successful and this prestigious will only help our program grow. We know that we have our work cut out for us, and we can’t wait to get started. This University, this state, and this conference demand excellence, and that’s what we’re going to strive for from day one.”

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Vince Dooley To Receive Paul 'Bear' Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award

/PRNewswire / -- The Paul Bear Bryant Awards committee of the American Heart Association has announced that former University of Georgia Head Coach and Athletic Director, Vince Dooley has been named the 2010 recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dooley will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Paul Bear Bryant College Football Coaching Awards Dinner Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010 at the Omni Houston Hotel. The award recognizes excellence in coaching on and off the field during a career, allowing recipients to take their place in history alongside legends such as Bryant. Recent Lifetime Achievement recipients include Barry Switzer, Tom Osborne, and Glenn "Bo" Schembechler.

Dooley served as head football coach at the University of Georgia from December, 1963, to Jan. 1, 1988, and as Director of Athletics from 1979-2004. Dooley is the most successful coach in Georgia history. He guided the Bulldogs to a career record of 201-77-10 becoming only the ninth coach in NCAA Division I history to win over 200 games. The Bulldogs won one national championship (1980) and six SEC Championships under his direction. He took his teams to 20 Bowl games and coached a Heisman Trophy winner (Herschel Walker, 1982), a Maxwell Award Winner (Walker, 1982), an Outland Award Winner (Bill Stanfill, 1968), 40 First Team All-Americans and 10 Academic All-Americans.

Under his watch as athletic director, Georgia teams won 20 national championships (ten in his final six years) including an unprecedented four during the 1998-99 year (women's swimming, gymnastics, men's tennis, men's golf). During Dooley's tenure Georgia athletic teams won 78 SEC team championships and numerous individual national titles in both men's and women's sports.

The Paul Bear Bryant Awards honor excellence in coaching while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke. Bryant himself suffered a heart attack prior to his death in 1983. Funds raised benefit research, community education and outreach programs of the American Heart Association. For more information on the Bryant Awards, or to purchase tickets or a table for the event, visit www.heart.org/bryantawards or call 713-610-5000.

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Shorter football announces 2009 schedule

The Shorter College Hawks football team has released their schedule for the 2009 season, playing six games at Barron Stadium in Rome, with five games away.

Shorter will travel first to NCAA Div. II Lenoir-Rhyne University on Sat., Aug. 29, in Hickory, N.C., for a 7 p.m. kick-off. This is the third time the Hawks have faced a Div. II opponent, having last faced North Greenville University last season in a 37-21 win, and previously Stillman College in 2007 in a close 24-27 loss. The Bears were 3-8 last season with wins over Concord University, West Virginia Tech, and Brevard College.

Following a two-week break, Shorter will continue play against another NCAA team in the first home game of the season at Barron Stadium. They will repeat the annual Battle for the Governor's Cup as they take on the Div. III LaGrange College Panthers on Sept. 12 tentatively scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Panthers are the defending St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions after producing a 9-1 regular season record (the only loss coming in their 28-23 game against Shorter) that earned the team a bid to the NCAA Division III Football national playoffs.

The Hawks' first Mid-South Conference match-up follows as Pikeville College comes to Rome for Shorter's second home game, which kicks off at Barron Stadium at 1:30 p.m. Last season, the Hawks held Pikeville to a scoreless second half, winning 52-17 in Pikeville, Ky.

On Sept. 26, Shorter will face the Faulkner University Eagles in Montgomery, Ala., in their first conference divisional game of the season. The Hawks opened their home football season in style last year against Faulkner, breaking then-three team records and one individual record, in a 42-0 victory.

Shorter returns home the following week for a non-divisional conference game against Campbellsville University on Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m. The Hawks had 370 yards rushing yards against the Bulldogs last season, highlighted by a 98-yard run from A.J. Cooley, winning 24-14.

One of the toughest tests for the Hawks comes on Oct. 10 on the road against Lambuth University - a competition the Hawks lost last year on a last-second touchdown from the Eagles, 42-38. On Oct. 17, Shorter will face the newest member of the Mid-South Conference, Kentucky Christian University, at 1:30 p.m. for their fourth home game at Barron Stadium.

The Hawks will face Union College (Ky.) in Barboursville, Ky., on Oct. 24, in what is sure to be a tough rematch following last season's close 33-27 win over the nationally-ranked Bulldogs.

Three divisional conference games mark the end of the regular season. Shorter will face Cumberland (Tenn.) on Oct. 31 at Barron Stadium, before traveling to Belhaven on Nov. 7. Last season, Shorter won both games, beating Cumberland 27-24, and shutting out Belhaven in the final home game at Barron Stadium, 35-0.

The Hawks will conclude the regular season at home on Nov. 14 against Bethel College. Last year's contest between the two proved to be the deciding match-up for the Mid-South Conference Western Division Championship - as the Hawks won 7-0.

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It's a First for Georgia State Football - Signing Day

Georgia State’s burgeoning football program celebrated another important milestone Wednesday as head coach Bill Curry and his staff signed 26 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day.

These 26 student-athletes will enroll at Georgia State next fall and practice during a redshirt season in 2009 while preparing for the Panthers’ first season of competition in 2010. They will join Mark Hogan, Jr., who is already enrolled at Georgia State this semester in forming the Panthers’ first freshman class.

"Today is a landmark day for us," said Curry. "I’m sitting here with a list of ‘our players’ in front of me. This is fun.

"For us to be able bring in a class of this quality is something that we really feel good about. We’re not going to put these guys in the Hall of Fame just yet, but these are good football players who are good human beings and also good students.

"We’re off to a very good start in terms of the quality of our players. We have a lot of other things to do, but this is definitely a great start."

The group includes 14 players from the state of Georgia, as well as seven from Florida, four from South Carolina and one from Texas.

Highlighting the class are three members of the prestigious Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia Top 150 in quarterbacks Drew Little of Henry County High School and Kelton Hill of Lithia Springs High and defensive back Nathan Anthony of Columbia High.

The Panthers also inked several highly-regarded players from the state of Florida, such as running backs Travis Evans (Williston HS, Williston, Fla.) and Darris Hughes (Clewiston HS, Clewiston, Fla.), running back/wide receiver Parris Lee (Fletcher HS, Jacksonville, Fla.) and linebacker Robert Ferguson (Glades Central HS, Belle Glade, Fla.), and promising linemen such as Harrison Clottey from Grayson High School in the Atlanta area as well as Grant King (Spring Valley HS, Columbia, S.C.) and Ramell Davis (Calhoun County HS, St. Matthews, S.C.) from South Carolina.

"I wish I could tell you how hard our staff has worked," said Curry.

"The reception we have received from high school coaches, high school counselors and parents throughout the state of Georgia has been overwhelmingly positive. That’s been really gratifying. When we were able to get these young men and their families to come visit our campus, meet our faculty, meet our academic support people and so on, it was not hard at all to sell Georgia State.

"Georgia State football will be a success, and these guys have bought into the idea of being a part of the beginning."

Name School Hometown Position
Blake Wyatt Landmark Christian Fairburn, Ga. Safety
Drew Little Henry County McDonough, Ga. Quarterback
Allen McKay Marion County Buena Vista, Ga. Running Back
K.J. Morton Northside-Warner Robins Warner Robins, Ga. Defensive Back
Tyler Blackwell Cartersville Cartersville, Ga. Cornerback
Parker Stevens Taylor Houston, Texas Defensive Back
Fred Barnes Martin Luther King Jr. Ellenwood, Ga. Quarterback/Athlete
Sam Burkhalter Blessed Trinity Roswell, Ga. Running Back
Robert Ferguson Glades Central Belle Glade, Fla. Linebacker
Demetreious Shorter Crisp County Cordele, Ga. Defensive End
Jordan Giles Spring Valley Columbia, S.C. Wide Receiver
Eduardo Curry West Ashley Charleston, S.C. Defensive End
Rosevelt Watson Lake Worth Lake Worth, Fla. Running Back
Mark Hogan* Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.) Matthews, N.C. Running Back
Karl Williams Eastside Covington, Ga. Defensive End
Kelton Hill Lithia Springs Douglasville, Ga. Quarterback
Harrison Clottey Grayson Loganville, Ga. Offensive Tackle/Guard
Parris Lee Fletcher Jacksonville, Fla. Running Back/ Wide Receiver
Darren McCray Spencer Columbus, Ga. Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
Nathan Anthony Columbia Conley, Ga. Running Back
Grant King Spring Valley Columbia, S.C. Offensive Tackle
Bo Schlechter Glades Day Wellington, Fla. Quarterback
Travis Evans Williston Williston, Fla. Running Back/Cornerback
Ramell Davis Calhoun County St. Matthews, S.C. Offensive Line
Justin Orr Camden County St. Mary's, Ga. Linebacker
Dan Williams Boone Orlando, Fla. Wide Receiver
Darris Hughes Clewiston Clewiston, Fla. Running Back/Cornerback

* * indicates currently enrolled

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Shorter College Has Played Instrumental Role In NAIA Football Championship

In the past few years, teamwork and the relationships it nurtures have become a common trait and blessing for Shorter College’s athletic program.

But when the 53rd annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship kicks off Saturday at Barron Stadium, the event culminates a total team effort by the entire faculty, staff and student body at Shorter – from the Sheffield-Thompson Administration Building to the Winthrop-King Athletic Centre.

“It’s meant a lot to Shorter to participate in an event of this magnitude and to work with the great representatives from Rome and Floyd County,” Shorter President Dr. Harold E. Newman said about the game that will pit Carroll College from Helena, Mont., the defending national champion, against the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) in a rematch of last year’s championship game.

“I’m really proud of the hundreds of hours our staff has invested into this game,” he added. “It makes you appreciate the amount talent the college has.”

Shorter’s involvement in the national championship is one that started nearly two years ago when Shorter Athletic Director Bill Peterson and Head Football Coach Phil Jones planted the seed for the game, eventually coming up with a proposal that involved Shorter, Rome and Floyd County.

By the summer of 2007, a bid to host the game in 2008 and 2009 was finally submitted to the NAIA, which sent a delegation that made a site visit and evaluate what the hosts – Shorter, Rome and Floyd County – had to offer. Following a long and patient wait, the NAIA made its decision and last January the announcement was made by Shorter.

“I don’t think anyone knew how intense and comprehensive it would be,” Peterson said about the challenges the Rome Host Committee, which was established to tackle the logistics, has faced. “It was more than we anticipated. But everyone had a solid heart and enthusiasm. Now we’re so close to the finish line we know we can make it a great event.”

Peterson wound up becoming the co-chair of the event with Rome attorney Bob Berry and was joined by his peers at Shorter on being a part of the host committee that represented an entire spectrum of the entire community.

Naturally, Jones took an active part and will be handling Football Operations for the game, one that the Hawks came close to playing in when Jones’ football team earned its first-ever postseason berth in the NAIA Football Championship Series.

Two other staff members in Shorter’s athletic department, Director of Operations/Athletics Ricci Lattanzi and Sports Information Director Grant Kersey, joined the Host Committee with Lattanzi in charge of Game Day Operations and Kersey being named the NAIA’s Media Coordinator.

The host committee, however, benefited from the services provided by Shorter’s wealth of individual assets to round out the team.

Melissa Hickman and Gina McDaniel, professors in Shorter’s School of Business Administration, serve as Co-Chair for Ticket Sales; Dawn Tolbert, the college’s Director of Public Relations, fills the same role for the committee; Shorter’s Web manager Dana Thompson created and updates the championship game Web site; Ken Fincher, Shorter’s Vice-President for Institutional Development, plays a key role in the sponsorship plans for the game; and Rachel Rogers, who recently became Shorter’s Director of Athletic Development, has become a member of the host committee helping with the events planned.

“It’s been a good opportunity to show the community and others Shorter College’s strengths and the things we are capable of doing,” Fincher said, “and we want to be a good neighbor and support the community.

“This game shines a light on what we do and on all of Shorter’s teams, the athletes and the coaches we have. And we’ve had a lot of members of the Alumni Association asking how they can help, and the rank and file at Shorter College is really excited about this game.”

“It has helped us get to know the people who we’ve respected here even better,” Peterson pointed out, “and respect them even more.

“It’s been a great effort by Shorter and from everyone in the community. I know everyone who has been a part of it are glad they were involved with it. It’s a good feeling.”

The game itself caps what will be a busy week of events that begins with the arrival of the two teams Wednesday and includes two banquets to be held at The Forum in downtown Rome.

On Thursday morning the Fellowship of Christian Athletics Champions of Character breakfast, sponsored by Chick-Fil-A, will be held with Dr. Nelson Price, chairman of the Shorter Board of Trustees, delivering the invocation, and former Air Force Academy Fisher DeBerry serving as the guest speaker.

And on Friday the NAIA Banquet of Champions will take place with the two teams and this year’s top players being honored.

“There are so many firsts going on,” said Fincher. “It’s been somewhat thrilling to be a part of it. But the one thing we always come back to is that the game is for the young men and the teams who are playing for a championship.”

Jim O'Hara

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Roddy Jones, Todd Reesing, Jeremiah Johnson and Sam Bradford Announced as Week Fourteen Nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week Award

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Four nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award have been announced after the fourteenth week of college football action, and now it's up to fans to determine the winner. Georgia Tech running back Roddy Jones, University of Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing, University of Oregon running back Jeremiah Jones and University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford have been selected by ESPN as this week's top candidates, based on the players' outstanding performances over the weekend. Fans can text VOTE to 51234 on their wireless phone to opt in for the chance to vote.

Jones rushed for a career-best 214 yards and two touchdowns in the Yellow Jackets' 45-42 upset over University of Georgia. Reesing went 37-51 for 375 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 27 seconds left, in the Jayhawks' 40-37 upset over University of Missouri. Johnson rushed for 219 yards and a touchdown in the Ducks' 65-38 victory over Oregon State. Bradford went 30-44 for 370 yards and four touchdowns in the Sooners' 61-41 win over rival Oklahoma State.

"This was another great week in college football. These four players really helped to deliver their respective teams some exciting victories," said Tim McGhee, director of corporate sponsorships for AT&T. "We are excited to present the opportunity, but it is now all in the fans hands to pick the week fourteen recipient of the AT&T All-America Player of the Week Award."

Fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday to submit their votes. The winner will be announced during Thursday's ESPN College Football Primetime Presented by Applebee's. Standard text messaging rates apply.

There is no limit on fan voting, and each vote counts as one entry into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the 2009 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship game in Miami. Full sweepstakes rules can be found at www.espnallamerica.com/rules.aspx.

In December, four finalists for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year Award will be announced during a one-hour special on ESPN in conjunction with the announcement of the AT&T ESPN All-America Team as selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Fans will then get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year through the BCS. Voting ends at noon ET on Jan. 6, and the winner will be announced during the BCS National Championship game on FOX on Jan. 9.

Additionally, AT&T customers can view video highlights and photos of each week's candidates and track their favorite teams through AT&T's wireless NCAA Football Portal, which is accessible on AT&T handsets by launching AT&T MEdia(TM) Net and clicking through to the sports category. AT&T wireless customers with 3G handsets can also watch "Confessions of a College Football Junkie" video clips featuring Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit by accessing ESPN on AT&T CV.*

*AT&T CV requires a MEdia Max Unlimited or MEdia Net Unlimited bundle. Details on AT&T's MEdia Net bundles and other offers are available at http://www.att.com/wireless.

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Fan Vote to Determine Player Super Bowl Ad

SSG Note: Voting is now open until December 3rd.

Thirteen Atlanta Falcons told their stories. Now, fans can help turn one of them into the NFL’s Super Bowl commercial at NFL.com/SuperAd.

Babineaux and Turner are featured in a head-to-head competition against their rivals from the NFC South in the NFL’s “Super Ad: Believe In Now” promotion.

NFL Films traveled to NFL training camps and team facilities to capture the players’ stories. Now fans will have the opportunity to hear these unique tales and get an exclusive look at some of their favorite NFL players, such as:

-Babineaux, who talks about playing football with his brother as kids in their living room.

-Turner, who relives gaining more than 200 yards in his first game as a starter.

Fans can visit the Falcons section to also see: Erik Coleman, Thomas DeCoud, Jamaal Fudge, Brent Grimes, David Irons, Grady Jackson, Michael Koenen, Jerious Norwood, Chris Redman, Matt Ryan and Roddy White.

Fans will vote on the 24 stories from NFC players on nfl.com/superad from November 20 – December 3. Four NFC stories, one from each division, will be selected to continue to the Championship Round where they will compete against four videos from the AFC as well as one wildcard video. The Championship Round runs from December 18, 2008 – January 4, 2009. Fans will have eighteen days to vote for their favorites with a Super Bowl appearance on the line.

Fans can visit the “All Videos” section to watch all 215 NFL players’ stories posted on nfl.com/superad. Fans will then watch the winning pitch, and the player who told it, during Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, February 1 on NBC.

By AtlantaFalcons.com

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