48 Top College Basketball Coaches Go Head-to-Head for Over $300,000 in Donations in "Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge"

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing corporate partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the NCAA® and ESPN, Infiniti has announced an expanded "Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge" with a $100,000 donation to the winning coach's designated charity.  Expanding from 14 participating NABC coaches last season to 48 of the nation's top NCAA Division I Men's Basketball coaches this year, the total Infiniti contribution will be more than $300,000.  

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Fan participation will determine the ultimate winner over an eight-week period beginning January 18th by registering and voting on a custom microsite on www.ESPN.com/Infiniti.  For the first six weeks, four brackets of 12 coaches will be paired against each other, with the winners from each group moving onto the next round in week seven and the final round in week eight.  Fans can vote for up to four coaches per day.  The winning coach will be announced March 9, 2012.

Among the participating coaches, and their charities are:  Jim Boeheim, Syracuse, Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation; Jim Calhoun, Connecticut, The UCONN Foundation, Inc.'s Jim and Pat Calhoun Cardiology Research Endowment Fund for the University of Connecticut; Bob Huggins, West Virginia, Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment Fund; Mike Krzyzewski, Duke, Emily Krzyzewski Center; Roy Williams, North Carolina, Coaches Versus Cancer; and Jay Wright, Villanova, Augustinian Fund.  All 48 coaches' charities are guaranteed at least $5,000 from Infiniti.

"The Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge is a way to add a greater level of support to our ongoing partnerships with the NABC and NCAA and their fine efforts in raising funds and support for their designated charities," said Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore.  "It allows us to bring awareness to the outstanding community efforts of these respected coaches, and hopefully inspire fans to learn and give more to each charity on their own."

"The overwhelming popularity of men's college basketball provides an outstanding platform for coaches across America," said NABC President Ernie Kent.  "While most fans follow every aspect of their teams' on-court performances, the Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge enables people to see the numerous charitable and community endeavors championed by coaches off the court."

The Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge will be promoted each week through a wide range of media, including the Doug Gottlieb Radio Show on ESPN, the ESPN Game of the Week, Facebook and other social media.

"We've expanded our support of NCAA Men's Division I College Basketball and the NABC once again because there's nothing more inspiring than watching these athletes go head-to-head on the hardwood week-after-week, with the highest level of dedication and sportsmanship," added Poore.  "We're proud to be associated with these fine young men and their coaches."

About Infiniti

Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles, including the G Coupe, Sedan and Convertible, Infiniti M sedan, EX and FX crossovers, and the QX full-size SUV.  More information about Infiniti and its Total Ownership Experience® can be found at www.InfinitiUSA.com.

About NCAA

The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 400,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities.  Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. 

www.ncaa.org and www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.  [NCAA, Final Four and March Madness are trademarks owned or licensed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.]

About the National Association of Basketball Coaches

Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest "Phog" Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas.  Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men's basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today's student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.org.

SOURCE Infiniti