FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT(S):

Kurt Kosmowski, The Kosmowski Group, 248.345.4360, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                 

Joel Scott, Ford Field, 313.262.2359, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FORD JR. AND ILITCH NAMED CO-CHAIRMEN

FOR COLLEGE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP IN DETROIT

DETROIT (Jan. 26, 2010) -- The Detroit Local Organizing Committee (DLOC) for the 2010 NCAA^® Men’s Frozen Four^® today announced that William Clay Ford Jr. and Christopher Ilitch will serve as co-chairmen for the prestigious NCAA championship event to be held at Ford Field April 8-10.

“We are extremely pleased that William Clay Ford Jr. and Christopher Ilitch, two of Detroit’s most successful businessmen and tremendously-committed civic leaders, will lend their time and considerable expertise to help make the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four a tremendous event for the collegiate hockey community, the City of Detroit and Michigan,” said Tom Anastos, commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), a co-host of the Frozen Four.

In their roles, Ford and Ilitch will oversee all DLOC activities, fundraising and host efforts for a series of ancillary public events including a FanFest and special fun-filled public events including open practices, and Frozen Four Friday that will feature exciting skills challenges involving the championship team players, autograph sessions and NCAA Division 1 Men’s Ice Hockey award announcements including the announcement of the Hobey Baker Award to the top collegiate men’s hockey player.

“As the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, yet another in an unprecedented roster of high-profile championship sporting events arrives in Detroit, we believe that the commitment from William Clay Ford Jr. and Christopher Ilitch will be key to the success of the event and to the experience that our out-of-town visitors and locals will take away from their stay in Detroit,” said Dave Beachnau, executive director for Detroit Sports and member of the DLOC executive committee.

In their first public role as co-chairmen, Ford and Ilitch today greeted the press at Detroit’s Campus Martius Park at an event to announce details of the DLOC College Hockey FanFest and other Frozen Four activities.  The two avid ice-hockey fans and long-time players skated on to the ice wearing special Frozen Four hockey sweaters with Ford #20 and Ilitch #10 (displaying “2010” when photographed side-by-side from behind) on the back of the jerseys.  Ford and Ilitch also took turns skating and stick-handling on the ice with more than 25 local youth hockey players.

For more information on the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four visit www.ncaa.com/frozenfour

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