22ndannual Paul “Bear” Bryant College Football Coaching Awards

January 17, 2008 – Hyatt Regency, Houston

www.americanheart.org/bryantawards

·      The Bryant Coach of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards honor the memory of Paul “Bear” Bryant. One of college’s winningest coaches, Bryant died of heart disease in 1983.

·      The awareness campaign culminates in an annual awards banquet held to announce the Coach of the Year winner live (the only such award voted on after the bowl games), and to recognize a Lifetime Achievement recipient on his career accomplishments.

o      In 2008, Tom Osborne of Nebraska will receive Lifetime Achievement honors.

o      Boise State’s Chris Petersen won the 2006 Coach of the Year award. Other nominees were Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema, Michigan’s Lloyd Carr, Rutgers’ Greg Schiano and Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops. Mrs. Cathy Schembechler accepted the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her late husband, Bo Schembechler of Michigan.

·      Awards night festivities include a VIP reception for attendees to mingle one-on-one with coaches and celebrities; and an auction of sports memorabilia and experiences.

o      In 2008, a reserved Mix & Mingle luncheon with Kenny Stabler will be offered to a limited number of guests, to be held the afternoon of the awards ceremony.

o      Stabler will also serve as the AHA’s spokesperson at the December press conference announcing the Coach of the Year finalists. A reception will follow the conference for sponsors and donors.

·      The ceremony is televised as part of a 30-minute special in late January on Fox Sports Net (FSN) affiliates across the country, including the national Fox College network, reaching 52 million subscribers.

·      Corporate partners can join Team Bryant in the fight against heart disease and stroke in several ways:

o      National title sponsorship of the Awards event, Coach of the Year or Lifetime Achievement trophies

o      Component sponsorship of the press conference, VIP reception, Stabler luncheon, auction or event transportation

o      Table sponsorship

o      Donation of sports-related items or components of experiences with coaches and athletes

o      Underwriting of event expenses

For more information, contact Lisa Burns

at 713.610.5026 or lisa.burns@heart.org