Big Ten Network Launches Major Community Service Initiative

Big Ten Network Launches Major Community Service Initiative

Give Big will use network's reach to honor university supporters' service, encourage others

CHICAGO, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to honor, encourage and support the thousands of Big Ten community members who give back, the Big Ten Network is launching Give Big, a major community service initiative.

Beginning Friday, the network will feature a top community-service effort of a Big Ten supporter during Big Ten Tailgate, which visits a different Big Ten campus each week during football season. Some profiles will focus on the efforts of famous athletes such as Wisconsin's Devin Harris and Minnesota's Karl Mecklenburg, as well as remarkable projects undertaken by community leaders better known locally.

"Dedication, commitment and community are all important aspects of the Big Ten conference," said Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman. "Give Big recognizes that being a part of the Big Ten means giving back to the community in a big way."

While Give Big salutes these charitable efforts on the air, it will also look to engage the Big Ten Network's passionate and growing audience on a dedicated website (www.BTNGiveBig.com) and other social-media sites to funnel their enthusiasm and support toward these worthy causes.

Beyond sharing inspirational stories, Give Big will provide real tools and ideas to help others Give Big at www.BTNGiveBig.com. Through partnerships with organizations like Teach for America, Special Olympics, the REACH Foundation, Coaches vs. Cancer and others, the initiative will connect viewers, students and supporters with great organizations and outlets for service.

"We are really looking forward to sharing some of these remarkable stories with our viewers," Silverman said. "We're hopeful that the unmatched passion of Big Ten fans and the exposure for their programs will generate even more support for these great causes."

The first Give Big profile airs Friday during Big Ten Tailgate, which originates from the University of Iowa and features John Heineman. Heineman is a 25-year-old University of Iowa graduate who began volunteering at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic during his sophomore year. In addition to the countless hours he spent at the clinic, Heineman swam the English Channel to raise money for it, bringing in more than $19,000.

For more information, go to www.BTNGiveBig.com.

The first 12 honorees are listed below.

School Honoree Cause Air Date

Raised $19,000 for
the Iowa City Free
John Heineman, Medical Clinic by
Iowa graduate swimming the
Iowa and volunteer English Channel. Sept. 3
In 2007, founded 34
Ways to Assist,
which focuses on
the health and
well-being of
youth through
basketball camps,
Devin Harris, clinics and
Badgers' education, as well
basketball as providing kids a
Wisconsin standout safe place to play. Sept. 10
Co-founded Students
Leading Social
Change, works with
Hometown Heroes, in
which Illini
athletes work with
local youth to
CeCe Marizu, spread anti-drug
Illinois swimmer and gang messages. Sept. 17
The three
coordinated efforts
Charles Woodson, to raise funds for
Brian Griese & C.S. Mott
Steve Children's Hospital
Hutchinson - UM @ University of
Michigan players Michigan. Sept. 24
Founded the REACH
Foundation, which
provides kids with
educational and
outdoor experiences
intended to provide
Karl the opportunities
Mecklenburg, and resources
Minnesota and needed to succeed
All-Pro NFL in school and in
Minnesota football player life. Oct. 1
A philanthropist and
community leader,
supporter of
Sue Paterno, Special Olympics of
philanthropist Pennsylvania for
and wife of more than 30 years
Head Coach Joe and a board member
Penn State Paterno since 1991. Oct. 8
Founded City of the
Children, an
orphanage that
provides a safe and
nurturing
environment for
John Shinsky, abandoned and
Michigan football player disadvantaged
State and educator children. Oct. 15
Works with Uplifting
Athletes, a
national non-
profit that raises
Kurt Coleman, the profile of rare
OSU and diseases through
Philadelphia outreach, research,
Eagles football education and
Ohio State player advocacy. Oct. 22
Started Lady Lioness
Cycling, comprised
of African-
American women, and
Meaza Yalew, IU now working with
Indiana graduate City Year. Oct. 29
Involved with the
Fellowship of
Christian Athletes,
which challenges
athletes and
coaches to make a
positive impact in
local communities
by encouraging,
equipping and
Kyle Adams, empowering them to
Purdue football player make a difference. Nov. 5
Recruits top college
graduates for Teach
for America as part
of the movement to
Elissa Clapp, end educational
Northwestern tennis player inequity. Nov. 12
Involved in Coaches
vs. Cancer, a
national
collaboration
between the
American Cancer
Bruce Weber, Society and the
Illinois Men's National
Big Ten Basketball Association of
Conference Coach Basketball Coaches. Nov. 19
----------- -------------- ------------------- -------

About the Big Ten Network: A joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks, the Big Ten Network is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With approximately 350 live sporting events, and nearly all of them in HD, the network is the ultimate destination for Big Ten fans and alumni across the country, allowing them to see their favorite teams, regardless of where they live. The network operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, showcasing a wide array of classic-to-current sports and televising more Olympic sporting events and women's sports than has ever been aired on any other network. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments of some of the nation's finest universities. Each year, the network offers between 35 and 40 football games, 105 regular season men's basketball games; 55 women's basketball games; dozens of Big Ten Championship events; studio shows; coaches' shows; and classic games. The network is available to more than 75 million homes across the United States and Canada, and currently has agreements with more than 300 affiliates, including AT&T U-Verse, Atlantic Broadband, Cablevision, Charter, Comcast, Cox (Cleveland, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Omaha), DirecTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Rogers Cable (Canada), Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct (Canada), Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS. For updated information on the Big Ten Network, go to www.BigTenNetwork.com.

Source: Big Ten Network

CONTACT: Elizabeth Conlisk of Big Ten Network, +1-312-665-0726,
elizabeth.conlisk@bigtennetwork.com

Web Site: http://www.bigtennetwork.com/

-------
Profile: intent