Suzuki Kicks Off its Fourth Year of Heisman Sponsorship

BREA, Calif., Sept. 13 -- American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today announces the first-ever "presenting" sponsorship of the Heisman Memorial Trophy by its Automotive, Motorcycle and Marine divisions. 2002 marks the fourth year Suzuki has partnered with the Heisman Trophy and the Downtown Athletic Club (DAC), which created and annually presents the Heisman Trophy Award.

In addition to receiving exclusive "presenting" sponsorship rights, Suzuki will team up with ESPN the Magazine for a 10-game mobile college football tour entitled, "The Heisman Tour Presented by Suzuki and ESPN the Magazine." The tour will provide fans with Heisman-themed interactive games, product displays, giveaways, music, and a photo opportunity with the actual 2002 Heisman Trophy.

"American Suzuki is honored to be the first presenting sponsor in the 67-year history of the Heisman Trophy," said ASMC's Director of Corporate Brand Marketing and Communications Cam Smith Arnold. "A storied company like Suzuki represents an excellent fit with the prestige and traditions of the Heisman -- and we look forward to working with the Downtown Athletic Club on a variety of unique marketing and brand-building projects."

"My goal is to keep the Heisman Trophy as the most prestigious sports award in America," says Jim Corcoran, president of the Downtown Athletic Club. "We look forward to working with Suzuki to deliver on that goal. As the presenting sponsor, Suzuki will give all college football fans a chance to get closer to the Trophy and understand the rich tradition and history behind it."

As part of its presenting sponsorship, Suzuki established www.voteheisman.com to enable fans to cast an official vote in this year's Heisman Trophy race and to see how 2002 Heisman candidates rank in fan balloting. Different from other Heisman Web sites, www.voteheisman.com represents the only opportunity for the public to cast an officially counted Heisman vote. All other sites offer fan polls only.

Voters at www.voteheisman.com are automatically entered in the Suzuki Heisman Trophy Sweepstakes to win a new Suzuki XL-7 SUV, Volusia Motorcycle, DF-40 Outboard marine engine or Ozark 250 ATV.

"We're excited to bring fan participation to a whole new level with www.voteheisman.com , offering the only opportunity for college football fans across the country to have a real say in this year's Heisman race," stated Smith Arnold.

The Bonham Group, a Denver-based sports marketing agency specializing in the evaluation and negotiation of major sports and entertainment sponsorships, negotiated the precedent-setting agreement.

The Heisman Trophy, awarded by New York's DAC to the top collegiate player of the year, will be presented on Saturday, December 14 at the Yale Club in New York City. Current leading candidates include Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey, Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers, Texas quarterback Chris Simms, Miami running back Willis McGahee and Oregon running back Onterrio Smith.

The schedule for "The Heisman Tour Presented by Suzuki and ESPN the Magazine" is as follows (home team listed first):

Colorado vs. USC Sept. 14 Alabama vs. Southern Mississippi Sept. 21 Louisville vs. FSU Sept. 26 Northwestern vs. Ohio State Oct. 5 Kansas vs. Colorado Oct. 12 Marshall vs. Troy State Oct. 19 Texas A & M vs. Nebraska Oct. 26 Washington State vs. Arizona Nov. 2 Stanford vs. USC Nov. 9 Oregon vs. Washington Nov. 16