NFF Partners with the Sports Museum of America
Posted: Feb 19, 2008   <More National News>
 

DALLAS, Feb. 19, 2008 - Steve Hatchell, President & CEO of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, announced today a partnership with the Sports Museum of America (SmA), joining more than 50 single-sport halls of fame, national governing bodies, museums and other sports organizations across North America as a Founding Sports Partner of the museum.

"The Sports Museum of America is extremely pleased to have The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame join our more than 50 exclusive sports partner organizations to create the first comprehensive museum of sports," said Founder and CEO Philip Schwalb. "We’re particularly excited because of the special place that college football holds in the hearts and minds of American sports' enthusiasts. SmA looks forward to sharing college football's tremendous legacy - from Red Grange to Tim Tebow to the stars of tomorrow -- with our millions of visitors. We’ll also excite our fans about the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana and encourage them to visit there for the ultimate celebration of college football."

With a May 2008 scheduled opening in New York City, SmA will become the nation's first and only museum that celebrates the entire spectrum of sports under one roof. Slated to be filled with original films, state-of-the-art interactive technologies and iconic memorabilia, SmA will dramatically showcase the history, grandeur and significance of sports in American culture, educating and inspiring visitors of all ages with stories of courage and triumph.

"Football captures the imagination of millions of people each year," said Hatchell. "And this partnership will enable us to expose an even broader audience to the rich traditions of our sport and its unique ability to teach our young people teamwork, leadership, and the drive to compete and succeed in life. The Sports Museum of America creates a new platform for us to bring that message to hundreds of thousands of new fans each year, and we are thrilled to be a part of it."

Under the terms of the partnership, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame will lend football memorabilia to the SmA, starting with a bust of Ohio State coach Woody Hayes; an autographed game ball from Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant; a replica of the Commander in Chief Trophy; the helmet worn by Angelo Bertelli, the winner of the 1943 Heisman Trophy from Notre Dame; a shirt worn by USC coach Pete Carroll; a jersey worn by Adrian Peterson, the All-American running back from Oklahoma; and several other items. A projected one million worldwide annual visitors to SmA will view the rotating items.
 		 A joint marketing effort will be undertaken by both partners, while the SmA will make an annual donation to support The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. SmA is widely anticipated to be a vibrant new addition to the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan, significantly increasing commercial and tourist activity in the area.

About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame:
Founded in 1947 with leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, 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. With 121 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, Play It Smart, and scholarships of over $1 million for college and high school scholar-athletes. The NFF presents the MacArthur Trophy, the Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and releases the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Standings. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.

About the Sports Museum of America:
The Sports Museum of America (SmA) is the nation's first and only all-sports experience richly showcasing the history, grandeur and significance of sports in American culture. Created in exclusive partnership with over 50 single-sport Halls of Fame, National Governing Bodies and other sports organizations across North America, SmA features amazing state-of-the-art interactive technologies, dramatic original films and an iconic collection of sports memorabilia. SmA will also be home to the legendary Heisman Trophy (and annual televised presentation) and the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center, inclusive of the first hall of fame devoted exclusively to female athletes and coaches. Located in New York City at 26 Broadway (next to the "Charging Bull" and footsteps from the Statue of Liberty Ferry), the Sports Museum of America will open in May 2008. www.sportsmuseum.com