Mar 24, 2004
Accent® "highlights" most unforgettable moment with help from "Digger"
Phelps and hoops fans nationwide
3/24/2004 BELLWOOD, Ill - Amid the frenzy of March, basketball fans
across the nation have spoken by highlighting their most memorable
moment in men's college basketball history. Today, Accent Highlighters
announced the winning moment for its online campaign - none other than
the miraculous jump shot in the 1982 University of North
Carolina/Georgetown championship.
"Basketball has routinely contributed to some of the greatest moments in
sports history," said Richard "Digger" Phelps, legendary Notre Dame
coach and broadcast analyst. "Great moments make great basketball, and
I'm proud to have kicked off this program and been involved with Accent
so we can recognize those moments - and, more importantly raise funds
for The V Foundation."
To demonstrate a love for the sport and support for The V Foundation,
more than 17,000 basketball enthusiasts and sports writers cast their
votes, which helped raise the $25,000 that Accent will donate in the
University's name.
"The University of North Carolina is honored that Accent will be making
its donation to the V Foundation in recognition of our famous alumni's
game-winning shot," says Steve Kirschner, Director of UNC's Athletic
Communications. "Dean Smith is the winningest coach in college
basketball history and a strong supporter of the V Foundation, so it is
only fitting that the greatest moment in college basketball history be
one that clinched a national championship for Coach Smith."
Hoops fans across the nation entered their own top moment for
consideration or selected from the 10 finalists, which were identified
by more than 100 sports writers across the country through an online
poll. Based on results from the initial survey, the following moments
were top picks for sports writers:
-
35% - N.C. State's last-second win over Houston in the 1983
championship game
-
22% - Christian Laettner's jumper to beat Kentucky in '92 East
Regional Final
-
14% - Texas Western, with five African-American players, defeat Rupp's
Kentucky team
"UNC has historically produced talented players and been a leader in the
college hoops arena," said Greg Stoner, president of Sanford, makers of
Accent. "We're thrilled to donate $25,000 in this fine institution's
name, especially since it's for such a great cause."
About Sanford®
Accent Highlighters, introduced in the early 1960s, to this day remain
one of the most popular brands of information organization tools for
home, office and school. Made by Sanford, a division of Newell
Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL), the company is a worldwide leader in the
manufacturing and marketing of writing instruments, including such well
known brands as Sharpie®, Paper Mate®, Parker®, Waterman®, EXPO® and
uni-ball®, among others. Sanford makes more than 6,000 products ranging
from markers, pens and pencils to professional art products and fine
writing instruments. Headquartered in Bellwood, Ill., the Company has
approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information on
Sanford and its family of brands, please visit www.sanfordcorp.com or
call 800.323.0749.
About The V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was established in 1993 by ESPN and
legendary basketball coach and broadcaster, the late Jim Valvano.
The Foundation is dedicated to funding research to locate the causes and
develop the cures for the more than 100 diseases that are cancer. To
date, The V Foundation has raised more than $32 million and funded more
than 190 cancer research grants. The V Foundation is nationally
recognized for the efficiency with which it operates, directing 85 cents
of every dollar raised to research. Join us in the quest to make Jim
Valvano's final dream a reality - that victims will become survivors and
that this disease that claims the lives of so many of our loved ones,
will devastate no more. For additional information about The V
Foundation, visit our website at www.jimmyv.org or contact The
Foundation at 1-800-4JimmyV.
###