College Football Fans to Help Select Heisman Trophy Winner; Votes Cast Online Will Count For The First Time

    BREA, Calif.--(BW SportsWire)--Oct. 11, 2001--For the first time, football fans can use a few computer clicks to help choose the winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, awarded by New York's Downtown Athletic Club (DAC) to the top collegiate player of the year.
    American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC), a Heisman sponsor, has established a Web site where voters can cast their ballots to help determine this year's Heisman Trophy winner, and automatically enter The Suzuki Heisman Trophy Sweepstakes to win a new sport utility vehicle, motorcycle, marine engine and other prizes.
    Voters also will be able to log on to www.voteheisman.com and see how their favorite player ranks in the fan balloting. And votes can be cast at selected college games nationwide where American Suzuki will be hosting tailgate parties.
    "This is our third year of sponsoring the illustrious Heisman award, and we're excited to bring fan participation to a whole new level," said ASMC's director of Corporate Brand Marketing and Communications, Cam Smith Arnold. "There is a great group of Heisman hopefuls this season and it will be interesting to watch the votes adding up at voteheisman.com, and see who the fans pick as the country's top college player."
    The Heisman Trophy will be presented on Dec. 8 at the DAC in New York. Leading candidates include Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey, Fresno State quarterback David Carr, Florida quarterback Rex Grossman, UCLA running back DeShaun Foster and Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington.
    Suzuki is the official vehicle of the Heisman Trophy and the grand prize for online voters is a trip to New York and a new XL-7 sport utility vehicle. Other prizes include a Suzuki Volusia cruiser motorcycle and an outboard motor. Also, 50 autographed Heisman footballs will be awarded.
    The Suzuki tailgate parties will include a display of the sweepstakes prizes, and a photo opportunity with the actual Heisman Trophy at selected tailgate events. Plus, fans can vote for their Heisman hopeful and enter the sweepstakes.
    The schedule for the Suzuki tailgate parties is as follows (home team and site of parties listed first):

University of Michigan vs. Purdue                             Oct. 13
Northwestern vs. Penn State                                   Oct. 13
Texas vs. Colorado                                            Oct. 20
Clemson vs. North Carolina                                    Oct. 20
Penn State vs. Michigan                                       Oct. 27
Texas Christian vs. Eastern Carolina                          Oct. 30
Miami vs. Temple                                              Nov. 3
Notre Dame vs. Tennessee                                      Nov. 3
Arizona State vs. San Jose State                              Nov. 10
Florida State vs. NC State                                    Nov. 10
Oregon State vs. Northern Arizona                             Nov. 17

    Suzuki Motor Corp. (SMC) based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer. Incorporated in 1920, SMC sells a variety of vehicles in 191 countries.
    Suzuki Motor Corp. founded the Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC), located in Brea, in 1985. ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of more than 420 automotive dealerships in 49 states.
    American Suzuki Motor Corp. can be reached via the Internet at www.suzuki.com. Journalists can reach the American Suzuki media Web site at www.media.suzuki.com/ and access images, information and the 2002 model year automotive product line currently on sale at dealerships.