Courtyard by Marriott Donates to USA Football New Orleans League During Super Bowl XLVII

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Courtyard by Marriott, the Official Hotel of the NFL, kicked off its Super Bowl XLVII activities on Thursday, January 31 by presenting USA Football with a $5,000 check at the Courtyard New Orleans Downtown Near the French Quarter.  The donation was accepted by Scott Hallenbeck, executive director of USA Football and several children from local youth football leagues. USA Football will distribute the donation in the form of new equipment to New Orleans-area youth football leagues, including the Southeast Louisiana Football League-St. John Heat, Louisiana Youth Football, the Slidell Youth Football Association and Jefferson Parish Recreation Department-East.

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"Our associates in New Orleans are extremely dedicated to their communities. They have all  worked hard over the  past several months preparing for this exciting week, and are very committed to contributing to the city's success as host to the big game," said Janis Milham, vice president and global brand manager for Courtyard by Marriott. "We are thrilled to start our celebration here in New Orleans with this local contribution on their behalf."

The check presentation took place during the brand's special football reception at the Courtyard hotel, welcoming passionate customers and guests to the city. The hotel's lobby was buzzing with excitement with NFL talents Deion Sanders and Christian Ponder while lively jazz tunes filled the air from Roots of Music, a local organization that helps at-risk kids through music education, tutoring and mentoring.

Throughout the season, Courtyard hosted similar events featuring NFL legends at its hotels across the country, as a special tailgate treat for their football loving guests and fans. Courtyard will host two more events in New Orleans during Super Bowl XLVII, culminating with a VIP tailgate at the Contemporary Arts Center on Sunday. Celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year, Courtyard by Marriott will jumpstart its milestone year at the exclusive Sunday tailgate with senior Marriott executives, NFL players and loyal customers.

The Courtyard by Marriott brand features hotels with a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced while traveling.  Intuitive services and design accommodate guests' desire for choice and control and allow them to use the public space and guest rooms to meet all of their needs while on the road. With more than 900 locations in 38 countries, Courtyard has more locations than any other Marriott International brand. For more information about the brand, visit www.courtyard.com.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

About USA Football: USA Football, the sport's national governing body in the United States, hosts dozens of football training events annually offering education for coaches, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners. The independent nonprofit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Association. USA Football manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competitions and provides more than $1 million annually in equipment grants and youth league volunteer background check subsidies. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football (www.usafootball.com) is chaired by former NFL team executive Carl Peterson.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.