Jermaine Gresham of Oklahoma Named John Mackey Tight End of the Week

Manhasset, N.Y. (December 3, 2008) - Jermaine Gresham of Oklahoma was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission for the second consecutive week. The Big 12 South Conference junior led the team with nine receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns including a 73-yard TD reception as Oklahoma routed Oklahoma State 61-41. Gresham, who was named one of three finalists for the 2008 John Mackey Award will face off against fellow Mackey Award finalist Chase Coffman and Missouri this weekend in the Big 12 Championship game. Mike McNeil of Nebraska and Chase Coffman of Missouri were also in consideration for this week's honor.

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.

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department

Three Finalists Announced for 2008 John Mackey Award

Manhasset, N.Y. (November 24, 2008) - The Nassau County Sports Commission (NCSC) has announced three finalists for the 2008 John Mackey Award. Listed alphabetically, they are Chase Coffman (SR, Missouri), Jermaine Gresham (JR, Oklahoma) and Brandon Pettigrew (SR, Oklahoma State).

The three finalists were determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Selection Committee. The 2008 recipient of "The Mackey" will be announced on December 11, 2008 at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show live on ESPN and presented at the Nassau County Sports Commission Annual Awards Dinner on April 27, 2009.

The John Mackey Award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame Tight End John Mackey. The Nassau County Sports Commission is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that promotes sports and healthy lifestyle for Nassau County residents and is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.

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

Photo Credit: Mizzou Media Relations

Rob Gronkowski of Arizona Named John Mackey Tight End of the Week

Manhasset, N.Y. (November 19, 2008) - Rob Gronkowski of Arizona was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The Pac-10 Conference sophomore had his best game of the season recording 12 receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns as Arizona lost to Oregon 55-45. Mark Hafner of Houston was also in consideration for the weekly honor.

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.

Eight Semi-Finalists Announced for 2008 John Mackey Award

Manhasset, N.Y. (November 17, 2008) - The Nassau County Sports Commission (NCSC) has announced eight semi-finalists for the 2008 John Mackey Award. Listed alphabetically, they are Chase Coffman (JR, Missouri), Jared Cook (JR, South Carolina), Jermaine Gresham (JR, Oklahoma), Mark Hafner (SR, Houston), Branden Ledbetter (SR, Western Michigan), Brandon Pettigrew (SR, Oklahoma State), Dennis Pitta (JR, BYU) and D.J. Williams (SO, Arkansas).

The eight semi-finalists were determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Selection Committee. The 2008 recipient of "The Mackey" will be announced on December 11, 2008 at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show live on ESPN and presented at the Nassau County Sports Commission Annual Awards Dinner on April 27, 2009.

The John Mackey Award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame Tight End John Mackey. The Nassau County Sports Commission is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that promotes sports and healthy lifestyle for Nassau County residents and is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.

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

Mark Hafner of Houston Named John Mackey Tight End of the Week

Manhasset, N.Y. (November 12, 2008) - Mark Hafner of Houston was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The Conference USA West senior recorded a season high 11 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown as Houston defeated Tulane 42-14. Other candidates considered for this week's Mackey Tight End of the Week include Jared Cook of South Carolina and Darius Hill of Ball State.

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.

Dennis Pitta of BYU Named John Mackey Tight End of the Week

Manhasset, N.Y. (November 5, 2008) - Dennis Pitta of BYU was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The Mountain West Conference senior recorded 12 receptions for 175 yards and two fourth quarter touchdown receptions including the game-winner with 29 seconds left in regulation as the Cougars defeated Colorado State 45-42. Other candidates considered for this week's Mackey Tight End of the Week include Chase Coffman of Missouri and DJ Williams of Arkansas.

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.

Kory Sperry of Colorado State Named John Mackey Tight End of the Week

Manhasset, N.Y. (October 29, 2008) - Kory Sperry of Colorado State was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The Mountain West Conference senior recorded six receptions for 51 yards and three touchdowns, most importantly the go-ahead touchdown in the beginning of the fourth quarter to lead the Rams to a huge 38-34 victory over San Diego State. Other candidates considered for this week's Mackey Tight End of the Week include Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma State and DJ Williams of Arkansas.

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.

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.