Defend Your Pride. VoteO'Brien.org

Fan Vote and Sweepstakes open for O'Brien Quarterback Award

FORT WORTH, Texas (September 2, 2008) - College football fans can now register and vote for the 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) by visiting www.VoteOBrien.org. The 2008 season marks the second year that the Davey O'Brien Foundation will factor in the Fan Vote when determining The O'Brien Winner.

"There was such an overwhelming response by the fans in our first year, and we knew we had to bring it back," said Danielle Moorman, executive director of the Davey O'Brien Foundation. "Fans can show their support of their favorite quarterback by casting their votes throughout the season."

New this year, fans who register to vote will also have the chance to be entered into the "Defend Your Pride. VoteO'Brien.org Sweepstakes." The contest will award one fan and a guest the chance to attend the 2008 Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner on February 16, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. They will enjoy transportation and accommodations as well as receive the opportunity to attend a private reception and the Awards Dinner.

"This prize package will be a unique experience for a college football fan to be surrounded by some of college football's greatest quarterbacks ever," Moorman said. "The Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner is a well respected event and brings together some of the biggest names in college football."

Fans can register and vote by visiting www.VoteOBrien.org. Each fan must complete an online registration in order to cast his/her vote with the option of having his/her registration entered into the "Defend Your Pride. VoteO'Brien.org Sweepstakes." Once registered, voters are allowed to vote as often as once daily while voting is open. For complete rules and more information about the award and its history visit www.VoteOBrien.org.

The Fan Vote Process
Round One: September 2 - October 26
Beginning September 2 fans will have all 119 Football Bowl Subdivision starting quarterbacks to choose from until the voting closes at noon Central Standard Time (CST) on October 26. The top three Fan Vote recipients will be added to the Semifinalist List. Semifinalists will be announced October 27.

Round Two: October 27 - November 23
The Fan Vote will re-open on October 27 following the announcement of the Semifinalists. Fans may select from the quarterbacks on the Semifinalist List to help determine which three will become Finalists. Fan voting will close at noon CST on November 23. The Fan Vote will count for 5% of the overall Semifinalist vote. The three candidates receiving the most votes will be submitted to the Davey O'Brien Executive Committee for approval. Finalists will be announced November 24.

Round Three: November 24 - December 7
The Fan Vote will re-open for the final round of voting on November 24 following the announcement of the three Finalists. Fans may select from the three Finalists to help determine who will be The O'Brien Winner. Fan voting will close at noon CST on December 7. The Fan Vote will count for 5% of the overall Finalist vote.

The Fan Vote will be combined with the results from Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee, an elite group of journalists and broadcasters throughout the country, as well as former O'Brien winners. The 2008 Winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing December 11 on ESPN and will be honored at the Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner on February 16, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas.

About The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award®
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) honors the nation's best college quarterback of the year and inspires student-athletes to triumph both on and off the field. By recognizing and honoring athletes who excel in both sports and academics while exhibiting strong character and leadership, The O'Brien aims to help instill a lifelong moral fiber in each candidate. The O'Brien is overseen by the Davey O'Brien Foundation, which was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The Foundation has given away more than $750,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.