DALLAS, October 24, 2007 - The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today a long-term partnership with Schutt Sports (www.schuttsports.com), one of the nation’s leading sports equipment innovators. The relationship makes Schutt Sports the official helmet and protective gear provider for the NFF as well as an official corporate partner of the organization.
“The National Football Foundation has a rich 60-year tradition of promoting everything great in amateur football, both on and off the field,” said Eric Ashleman, President of Schutt Sports. “From the legends in the Hall of Fame to the young players in their youth development programs, Schutt gear has protected many of the same individuals who have been touched by the NFF programs. We take great pride in formalizing our support of the NFF’s many great initiatives.”
The relationship between Schutt and the NFF is a year-round promotional agreement between the two organizations to benefit youth groups. The agreement will showcase the many quality football products that Schutt Sports produces while highlighting the NFF’s efforts to build leaders on and off the field.
“Since 1920, Schutt has been a leader in the evolution of sports equipment that has protected the young men who play our great game,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “They clearly play a special role in the betterment of the game, and we are honored that they recognize our contributions and now have become official supporters and partners in our efforts.”
As an official NFF corporate partner, Schutt Sports will be recognized at the 2007 NFF Annual Awards Dinner, an event that attracts a sellout 1,500-plus crowd of football’s most enthusiastic and influential supporters who embody the spirit of the game. The evening will be highlighted by the induction of 14 of college football’s greatest legends in to the College Football Hall of Fame. Additionally, several awards will be bestowed that evening, including the Gold Medal, the Distinguished American Award and 15 National Scholar-Athlete Awards, totaling more than $300,000. The famed event, which this year celebrates the organization's 60th Anniversary, takes place December 4th at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.
ABOUT SCHUTT SPORTS
The Schutt brand is synonymous with innovation in sports equipment, from the pros to youth leagues. Headquartered in Litchfiled, Illinois, Schutt is the largest provider of football helmets and faceguards in the world and also markets innovative, high quality, protective and field/court equipment for softball, baseball and basketball. Schutt, the Official Base Supplier of Major League Baseball®, also markets collectible football helmets and bases to promote fan enjoyment. Schutt has introduced many of sports’ most important advances in equipment and continues to do so today.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. The NFF presents the MacArthur Trophy, the Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and releases the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Standings. NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., Play It Smart, and annual scholarships of over $1 million for college and high school scholar-athletes. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.
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