Join NBC 10 Sports Anchor/Reporter Jade McCarthy As She Hosts The Inspirational Special On People Making a Difference

It’s lights, camera, action! On Friday, December 26th, at 7PM, turn to NBC 10 for a special edition of the Emmy award-winning “Game Changers.” This half-hour program, hosted by NBC 10 Sports Anchor/Reporter Jade McCarthy, zooms in on the triumphs and challenges of people who have used sports to inspire and make a difference in their communities.

“Game Changers” was taped in an old movie theatre in Pitman, New Jersey (The Broadway Theatre of Pitman, New Jersey). It features interviews of coaches, mentors and teachers, as well as local and nationally known athletes.

This special will spotlight star athlete and retired tennis pro Billie Jean King, who is synonymous with being a ‘game changer’ for women in sports.

Capturing the human spirit of passion, commitment and perseverance, “Game Changers” is a television program for the entire family to watch.

For more information on NBC 10 “Game Changers,” turn to NBC 10 or visit our website at www.nbcphiladelphia.com .

Multi-Year Partnership Keeps Fans and Animals Snacking On and Off the Track

Mars North America announced today that it will extend its contract as official NASCAR partner, giving tens of millions of NASCAR fans even more to cheer about at track and in store. The multi-year sponsorship commitment allows multiple Mars brands to connect with racing fans and includes four designations:

• Official Chocolate of NASCAR (M&M’S(R) Brand)

• Official Chocolate Bar of NASCAR (SNICKERS(R) Brand)

• Official Cheese-Filled Snack of NASCAR (COMBOS(R) Brand)

• Official Pet Food of NASCAR (PEDIGREE(R) Brand)

“The relationship between Mars and NASCAR is a win-win,” said Suzanne Beaudoin, vice president, Sponsorships and Sports Marketing, Mars North America. “Whether tailgating at the Talladega infield or having friends over to watch qualifying at Bristol, Mars wants to be part of every race experience. Being an official NASCAR partner illustrates our dedication to the fans, our drivers and the sport, while driving brand affinity and excitement for our brands.”

The multi-year partnership aligns Mars with its existing contracts with Joe Gibbs Racing, continuing a relationship that began in 2008.

For 2009, Mars will continue to develop programs that build relationships directly with NASCAR fans, including continuing two of its popular programs that let fans share their passion for NASCAR to the world. Brand highlights include:

• Now in its second year, M&M’S “The Most Colorful Fan of NASCAR Contest” will launch at the Daytona 500 and run for 24 weeks.
• For dog lovers, the PEDIGREE brand will launch a new contest, PEDIGREE Brand presents THE LUCKIEST DOG(TM) of NASCAR(R), beginning in late April when the first of three cars sponsored by the PEDIGREE brand races at Talladega Superspeedway.
• Mars’ COMBOS Brand will also leverage its NASCAR sponsorship with the new “Man Zone” on-pack promotion, visiting ten race tracks during the first half of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
• SNICKERS Brand will promote its sponsorship at retail stores nationwide.

“Mars is an important partner to NASCAR, whose many creative programs excite our fans and help our sport to grow,” said Jim O’Connell, vice president of Corporate Marketing for NASCAR. “Mars’ commitment demonstrates the enduring value of an official NASCAR partnership. The measurable return this position brings is particularly important in a challenging economy when every marketing dollar must provide maximum value. With a fan base that actively supports the companies making the sport go, NASCAR sponsorship works for companies like Mars, and many other leading brands recommitting to NASCAR during difficult economic times.”

While Mars has been involved in NASCAR for nearly 20 years — with a variety of Mars brands sponsoring various teams — the company officially teamed with the sport’s sanctioning body in 2003. The 2008 season was highlighted by the success of Kyle Busch in the No. 18 M&M’S Toyota with Joe Gibbs Racing, which banked eight wins, 17-top five and 21 top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

For more information about Mars’ relationship with NASCAR, visit http://www.mms.com/us/racing.

James Madison coach Mickey Matthews was named the 22nd winner of the Eddie Robinson Award last night at The Sports Network’s Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet, held at the Chattanooga Marriott on the eve of the NCAA Division I Football Championship title game.

Matthews is the first two-time winner of the Robinson Award, which is presented annually to the top coach in FCS. Matthews also won the Robinson Award in 1999, his first season at James Madison.

“Coaching is all I ever wanted to do,” said Matthews. “Everyone, growing up in the south, knows who Eddie Robinson is. To be linked to that name is truly an honor and it is a humbling experience.”

Matthews’ JMU squad finished 10-1 in the regular season and was ranked No. 1 for the final eight weeks of the regular season in the Sports Network FCS top-25 poll. The Dukes also won the championship of the Colonial Athletic Association and were seeded No. 1 in the NCAA playoffs. It marked the best regular-season record in school history.

James Madison beat nine teams ranked at one point in the TSN poll on its way to the NCAA semifinals, including two No. 1 teams, Appalachian State and Richmond. The Dukes suffered their first loss since the opening game of the season, a 35-27 setback to Montana on Dec. 12, finishing the 2008 campaign at 12-2.

In 10 years at the helm of JMU, Matthews has become the winningest coach in school history, with a record of 76-46. He led the Dukes to the 2004 national championship with a 13-2 mark and was also the defensive architect of the great Jim Donnan-coached Marshall teams that were national finalists in 1991-93 and 1995, and won the 1992 national championship.

Matthews received 26 first-place votes out of the 102 ballots that were cast by a panel of sports information directors and selected media who regularly cover FCS games. He edged Rich Ellerson of Cal Poly by 45 points, with Ron McBride of Weber State finishing third.

The Sports Network established the Eddie Robinson Award in 1987. Past recipients of this prestigious honor include current FCS coaches, Jerry Moore of Appalachian State, Northern Iowa skipper Mark Farley, New Hampshire’s Sean McDonnell, Villanova’s Andy Talley, Mike Ayers of Wofford and Elon’s Pete Lembo.

Source: The Sports Network