John Phillips of Virginia Named John Mackey Tight End of the Week

Manhasset, N.Y. (October 22, 2008) - John Phillips of Virginia was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The Atlantic Coast Conference senior recorded five receptions for 38 yards including a huge play in overtime where his game changing 19-yard reception set up the winning score as Virginia rallied to beat North Carolina 16-13. Other candidates considered for this week's Mackey Tight End of the Week include Jermaine Gresham of Oklahoma and Chase Coffman of Missouri.

The John Mackey Tight End of the Week is an honor distinct and different from the annual John Mackey Award. This weekly honor was started in 2004 to draw attention to individual play by Tight Ends during the active season. The Tight End of the Week acknowledgment does not have a direct bearing on the final John Mackey Award selection process.

The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization created to enhance quality of life of Nassau County residents through sports, is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. The 2008 recipient of "The Mackey" will be announced at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show live December 11, 2008 on ESPN and presented at the Nassau County Sports Commission Annual Awards Dinner on April 27, 2009.

For additional information, please visit www.johnmackeyaward.org or www.nassausports.org.