Werner Partners with CBS Sports Network for the NCAA® "Coaching Spotlight"

GREENVILLE, Pa., March 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Werner Co., manufacturer of the official ladder of the NCAA^® Men's Basketball Championship, will once again sponsor the "Coaching Spotlight" segment on CBS Sports Network's the TIM BRANDO SHOW as well as COURTSIDE WITH SETH DAVIS. The Coaching Spotlight highlights past and present coaches and provides a platform to discuss the teams striving to cut down the nets at the 2013 NCAA Men's Final Four^® in Atlanta.

"We are proud to bring fans the 'Coaching Spotlight' again this year," said Chris Filardi, Vice President of Marketing at Werner Co. "Through our relationships with NCAA^® and the National Association of Basketball Coaches we continue to be a part of an incredible experience that means so much to our audience and the coaches and athletes that work incredibly hard for this once-in-a-lifetime experience."

This year marks the 75^th celebration of the Final Four^®, and to commemorate this special occasion Werner has created a custom 75^th Championship Ladder that will be used exclusively during the net-cutting ceremonies after the NCAA Division I Men's Championship game. This unique ladder has been featured  on the Tim Brando Show set throughout March Madness^®, and also will be showcased on the show's set in Atlanta during the Final Four^®. This ladder celebrates all of the schools that have won the tournament dating back to the University of Oregon in 1939.

The custom 9' Werner stepladders traditionally used during the tournament are made exclusively for the NCAA^® for the post game net-cutting ceremonies and provide easy access to the net for the winning players and coaches. These ladders include an innovative HolsterTop™ featuring a built-in magnetic strip to secure the scissors used to cut down the nets in all of the regional games and the Men's and Women's Championships.

The history of the tournament net-cutting ceremony dates back to 1947 when North Carolina State head coach Everett Case was hoisted by his team to cut a piece of the winning net as a souvenir. The tradition continued and spread throughout the conferences. In 1965, after Case had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and stepped down, the Wolfpack again won the ACC tournament. To honor its long-standing coach, the team rolled Case's wheelchair to the net and again hoisted him to take the spoils of victory. He died the following year, but the tradition has become an integral part of the game over the years.

To celebrate this special year in NCAA^® history, Werner has launched the Rise Above the Rest Sweepstakes where one lucky winner will receive a 9' Championship Replica Ladder.  For more information, including official rules, please visit http://riseabove.wernerladder.com.

ABOUT WERNER CO.  
Werner Co. is the official ladder of the NCAA^® Basketball Championship and a world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of ladders, climbing equipment, ladder accessories under Werner, Green Bull, Keller, Abru^® and other licensed brands. Werner also manufactures and sells a line of Fall Protection products and recently acquired Knaack LLC, the leading manufacturer of jobsite, truck and van storage equipment under the KNAACK® and WEATHER GUARD^® brands. Backed by over 60 years of product innovation, Werner products are recognized for their durability, quality and safety. All Werner ladders meet or exceed applicable international safety standards for strength and structural integrity. Werner is headquartered in Greenville, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.wernerco.com.

NCAA, Final Four and March Madness, are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Media contact: 
Angie Maddox, 1-678-431-0986, [email protected] 

SOURCE Werner Co.