Millions of Fans to Celebrate College Colors Day on August 31 to Kick-Off the 2012 College Football Season

ATLANTA, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As America goes back to school—and kicks off the college football season—College Colors Day on Friday, August 31 is a special time for the nation's 173 million college sports fans to wear their school's colors and show spirit for their favorite college team.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120828/CL64336LOGO )

College Colors Day, in partnership with NCAA football, is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience by encouraging fans across America to wear their favorite college or university apparel throughout the day on Friday, August 31.

This year, College Colors Day is bigger than ever with more than 200 universities, the NCAA, and thousands of stores representing the nation's top retailers participating in events and promotions to provide fans all the gear they need to show their college spirit. The collegiate fan base is the largest, most affluent, and the most well-educated in all of sports. Collegiate licensed merchandise generated nearly $4.6 billion in retail sales in 2011, with royalties from the merchandise going back to colleges to support scholarships and campus development programs.

"There's no better feeling than the anticipation and excitement surrounding the start of a new football season and College Colors Day is a fun way to celebrate that," said Cory Moss, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for The Collegiate Licensing Company. "College fans across the country are encouraged to wear their college gear to work, school, or play on Friday to show support for their favorite college or university."

There are several ways college fans can get involved including:

• Corporate Tailgate Sweepstakes– Companies that register online at collegecolorsday.com to participate will be automatically registered for a chance to win a $500 gift card towards an office tailgate party.
  
  
• Classroom Sweepstakes–Teachers who register their classroom or school to participate in College Colors Day will be automatically entered to win a $500 gift card. Two $250 American Express gift cards will be given to the runners-up in the drawing.
  
  
• Fan Photo Contest on Facebook– College fans who submit a photo to facebook.com/collegecolorsday will be entered to win weekly American Express gift cards. Grand prize winners will also be selected.

The annual College Colors Day celebration is organized by The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), a division of IMG College. For more information, fans can visit www.collegecolorsday.com or Facebook.com/collegecolorsday

About The Collegiate Licensing Company
CLC is a division of global sports and entertainment company IMG. Founded in 1981, CLC is the oldest and largest collegiate trademark licensing agency in the U.S. and represents nearly 200 colleges, universities, bowl games, athletic conferences, the Heisman Trophy and the NCAA. Its mission is to be the guiding force in collegiate trademark licensing and one of the top sports licensing firms in the country. Headquartered in Atlanta, CLC provides full-service capabilities in brand protection, brand management and brand development. For more information, visit www.clc.com or www.imgworld.com.

SOURCE The Collegiate Licensing Company