American Urban Radio Networks Honors the 2004 Black College Football All-Americans at Gala Affair

American Urban Radio Networks Honors the 2004 Black College Football All-Americans at Gala Affair

PITTSBURGH, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The SBN Sports Network, a division of American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), held the 31st Annual Black College All- American (BCAA) Awards weekend on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050303/NYTH121 )

The weekend started on Saturday morning with the NFL Skull Session hosted by SBN's Ty Miller and Billy "White Shoes" Johnson of the Atlanta Falcons. Forty students and their coaches from 10 Atlanta public high schools were invited along with the 24 members of the 2004 SBN/Black College All-American Team. During the skull session, the high school and college players conversed with current and past NFL players about topics ranging from the importance of education -- to what it takes to be successful both on and off the field. Washington Redskins wide receiver, Darnerian McCants, was animated and electrifying in his "Keeping It Real" remarks to the students. Other current NFL players and former All-Americans, Marques Douglas, Jonathan Ogden and Bennie Anderson (Baltimore Ravens) and Visanthe Shiancoe (New York Giants), joined in the discussion about the transition from college to professional football player. Among others offering constructive comments during the skull session were former Grambling coach and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers executive, Doug Williams; former Houston Oiler linebacker and educator, Robert Brazile; former New York Giants linebacker and businessman, Harry Carson; former Denver Bronco kick returner and youth leader/motivational speaker, Rick Upchurch; and former Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle and businessman, Rayfield Wright.

The Master of Ceremonies for this year's gala awards banquet on Saturday evening, was comedian and actor Jonathan Slocumb, who eloquently led the awards banquet and entertained the group of 350 people who attended the private event. Slocumb shared the stage with co-hosts Ty Miller, SBN Director of Sports and Anji Corley, host of AURN's The Hip-Hop Wire. The audience was treated to a touching rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and Lift Every Voice and Sing, performed by Chanda Leigh McKnight; and Atlanta-based group Xpressions, headed by saxophonist Dee Lucas, delighted guests throughout the evening with contemporary jazz music.

SBN's signature BCAA trophies were presented to the 24 members of the 2004 SBN/Black College All-American Team, the recipient of the SBN/Jake Gaither Black College Football National Championship Team (Hampton Pirates), the recipient of the SBN/Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year award (Charles Anthony-Tennessee State); the recipient of the SBN/Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year award (Kevin Talley-Norfolk State University); and the recipient of the SBN/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award (James "Mike" White-Albany State University).

Pfizer Inc, a nine-year corporate supporter of the awards, provided scholarship donations to the schools in the name of each Black College All- American athlete honored. "At Pfizer every colleague is encouraged to find a way to lead," said Kaki Hinton, Vice President, Advertising Services for the Consumer Healthcare division of Pfizer. "We are proud to partner with AURN once again to celebrate the academic and athletic leadership of this year's award recipients, and we hope that this recognition will inspire and encourage these achievers as they pursue the dream of earning a college degree, a critical key to success." Pfizer Inc donation totaled $120,000 distributed among the 24 honored collegiate All-Americans. Another returning sponsor, NRT Coldwell Banker distributed $20,000 in scholarships to the HBCU's represented by the top 4 awards recipients.

"It was great to welcome another group of talented players to SBN's exclusive list of Black College All-Americans," said Jerry Lopes, President of Program Operations and Affiliations for American Urban Radio Networks. "Some of these guys will go on to great fame and fortune in the National Football League, while most will become hardworking, productive citizens in their chosen fields, like most of us." In the 31 years that SBN Sports has hosted the BCAA event, over 700 players have been named Black College All-Americans-- among them Jerry Rice, who holds numerous NFL receiving records, Michael Strahan (New York Giants), the NFL's all-time single season sack leader; Shannon Sharpe (Denver Broncos), who revolutionized the tight end position; and Doug Williams, the only Black quarterback (Washington Redskins) to win a Super Bowl and to be named the game's Most Valuable Player.

About American Urban Radio Networks

American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) is the only African-American owned radio network company in the United States. It is the largest network reaching Urban America. Through four programming networks and one promotion network, AURN reaches more African Americans than any other medium in America and produces more urban programming than all other broadcasting companies combined. AURN broadcasts news, entertainment, sports and information programming to more than 475 radio stations nationwide. With more than 300 weekly shows, AURN reaches 25 million weekly listeners. Our SPM Urban Network provides brands with national promotions and fully integrated marketing programs. AURN has offices in New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: Ty Miller

412-456-4036

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050303/NYTH121
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: American Urban Radio Networks

CONTACT: Ty Miller, +1-412-456-4036, for American Urban Radio Networks

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