ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Dec. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 94% of youth and high school sports coaches believe that coaching enables them to be positive roles models in their communities1. For the past two years, Dove Men+Care deodorant has celebrated these coaches through its "Caring Coach" campaign – prompting more than one thousand people across the country to share the stories of caring coaches in their lives. To recognize youth football coaches whose care positively impacts student-athletes, parents and community members every day, Dove Men+Care deodorant proudly unveils the short film titled "For Coach" featuring Russellville Middle School [Russellville, Ala.] head football coach Larry Gilmer. Coach Gilmer is one of four youth football coaches being honored today with the "Caring Coach of the Year" award at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga.
In the short film, which opens at a special pep rally for Coach Gilmer thrown by Dove Men+Care deodorant at Russellville Middle School in November, former players, parents and coaching colleagues reveal how Coach Gilmer has shaped the lives of thousands of youth football players – preparing them for successful and productive lives off the football field – over the course of his 22-year coaching career. Shot over the course of four days in Russellville, Ala., "For Coach" highlights the community's shared love for a man who has dedicated his life and career to making his players better people and to using the sport of football to teach players the true meaning of care.
In conjunction with the release of "For Coach," Dove Men+Care deodorant encourages anyone who has experienced or witnessed the impact of a coach's care to share their stories with #CaringCoach on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"Dove Men+Care deodorant is celebrating the powerful impact caring relationships have on coaches and youth athletes," said Matthew McCarthy, Senior Director, Deodorants/Antiperspirants, Unilever. "This film highlights a side of sports you rarely see—men of all ages expressing the love and respect they feel for a coach who has unequivocally shaped their lives. We hope this film will show all coaches the difference they are making in the lives of the next generation of leaders."
2015 "CARING COACH OF THE YEAR" AWARD
In the second annual installment of the Dove Men+Care deodorant "Caring Coach" campaign – created in 2014 to celebrate the way a coach's care helps strengthen the next generation of men – the global men's grooming brand partnered again with the College Football Hall of Fame. Together, Dove Men+Care deodorant and the College Football Hall of Fame are recognizing four youth and high school football coaches who most strongly embody the characteristics of passion, respect, determination, encouragement and support with the "Caring Coach of the Year" award. Dove Men+Care deodorant is proud to announce the 2015 "Caring Coach of the Year" Award honorees:
COACH LARRY GILMER
As the head coach at Russellville Middle School for 22 years, Coach Larry Gilmer embodies the characteristics of a caring coach practicing a firm, yet positive approach. He strives to lead by example and is a well-respected member of the community and is often described as a "great big teddy bear."
COACH SAM SIMPSON
Having served as the head coach at Henry Clay High for 34 years, Coach Simpson is viewed as a father figure on and off the field and goes above and beyond to provide for his players. Simpson believes in using football as a way to teach his players integrity, self-respect and character-building to carry with them throughout the rest of their lives.
COACH BRENT WIDDOWS
Varsity High School Coach Brent Widdows creates opportunities for his team to engage with their community and make it a better place – including reading at elementary schools and local retirement centers. He has also created an annual "Cancer Game" which has raised over $10,000 for cancer research and family support, and is now the biggest game of the year at Sterling Heights High School.
COACH JOE DIPIAZZA
Coach DiPiazza has coached for 15 years and understands the vital role he plays in the lives of his athletes. He grew up similarly to many of the young men on his team, without a father, and relied heavily on his athletic coaches throughout his life and has always prioritized the development of his athletes' characters over that of their technical skills on the field. As a result of Coach DiPiazza's perseverance and close work with the District Attorney of Albany, for the first time in 60 years, Albany High has its own football field, a unified community and the Falcon's first win after a 44-game losing streak.
The brand sought written nominations across the country and selected four deserving coaches as the 2015 honorees based on the award's published criteria. To celebrate these four coaches for their efforts in fostering caring environments and enriching their local communities, Dove Men+Care deodorant surprised each coach with a pep rally at their school. The coaches and their nominators shared poignant moments with their players and loved ones, while surrounded by their entire school, community and local government officials.
Tomorrow the four "Caring Coach of the Year" honorees – and their nominators – will be honored with a ceremony at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. College Football Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Butler will be present to honor the 2015 "Caring Coach of the Year" award honorees. During the ceremony, a specially-produced video vignette highlighting each coach's story will be unveiled and live in the Dove Men+Care deodorant "Caring Coach" exhibit alongside tributes to college football's most legendary coaches. Additionally, each honoree will be awarded funding to support their local football programs.
About Dove Men+Care US Dove Men+Care is the first range of products from Dove developed specially for men. Manufactured by Unilever, it is the #1 recommended body wash by dermatologists. Launched in 2010, the Dove Men+Care portfolio includes bars, body washes, face care, antiperspirant/deodorants, and hair care and styling. Dove Men+Care is available nationwide in food, drug, and mass outlet stores.
About Unilever United States, Inc. Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Food, Refreshments, Home and Personal Care products with sales in more than 190 countries. In the United States, the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, Caress, Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Fruttare, Good Humor, Hellmann's, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond's, Popsicle, Promise, Q-tips, Simple, St. Ives, Suave, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TIGI, TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.
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About The College Football Hall of Fame The College Football Hall of Fame is a 94,256-square-foot attraction located in the heart of Atlanta's sports, entertainment and tourism district which provides visitors with a highly immersive, interactive and engaging experience using a blend of historic college football artifacts and state-of-the-art, interactive multimedia exhibits. The National Football Foundation launched the Hall of Fame in 1951 to stand as one of the nation's premier sports shrines, immortalizing the game's greatest players and coaches as positive role models for future generations. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.cfbhall.com.
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