NEW NATIONAL AWARD NAMED FOR BOBBY BOWDEN

Dec. 16, 2003

New Orleans, La. –

A new national award, named after Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden, will be presented at the site of the BCS national championship game at the Sugar Bowl this year. The award was initiated by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization and named after Bowden, who is currently the all-time winningest coach in major college football.

The National Bobby Bowden Award will highlight the collegiate football player who best epitomizes the term student-athlete. The person selected will be one of character, classroom excellence, athletic achievement and community involvement. This award combines the role modeling of the NFL Player of the Year Award, the Heisman for best collegiate player performance on the field and the CoSiDA Academic Award for classroom excellence.

The award will be presented annually during the week of the BCS Championship game. Coach Bowden will be present to make the award this year in New Orleans. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will compile the nominees each year. The top three nominees from around the country will be flown to New Orleans where one of them will receive the award at the FCA breakfast on January 3, 2004.

For more information please contact FCA at 504-582-1972