Jan. 17, 2013

Click here to VOTE For Frank!

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Infiniti announced that it will once again partner with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the NCAA® and ESPN as the sponsor of the “Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge.” Now in its third year, Infiniti, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, will make a $100,000 donation to the winning coach’s designated charity. South Carolina head coach Frank Martin (on Twitter: @FrankMartin_SC ) will be participating in the program for the second-consecutive year, with his charity the SC Center For Fathers and Families, located in Columbia.

The program, expanded last year, pits 48 NABC coaches from the nation’s top NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs in a fan-vote challenge, with the total Infiniti contribution again exceeding $300,000. All 48 coaches’ charities are guaranteed at least $5,000 from Infiniti.

Fan participation will determine the ultimate winner over an eight-week period beginning January 14 by registering and voting on a custom microsite on www.ESPN.com/Infiniti. For the first six weeks, four brackets of 12 coaches will be paired against each other, with the winners from each group moving on to the next round in week seven and the final round in week eight. Fans can vote for one coach per region per day. The winning coach will be announced March 11, 2013.

“College basketball coaches across America contribute in so many ways throughout the year for numerous national and local charitable organizations as well as community projects and initiatives,” said Jim Haney, executive director of the NABC. “The Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge enables college basketball fans to team with these outstanding coaches in providing significant financial support and awareness for so many worthy programs.”

The Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge will be promoted each week through a wide range of media, including the ESPN Game of the Week, Facebook and other social media.

About the SC Center for Fathers and Families
Fathers matter. The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families helps fathers overcome challenges and become actively involved in their children’s lives. Fathers care deeply about their children, but need the help of a program like the Center to help them strengthen their roles as fathers financially and emotionally. When fathers are involved in their children’s lives, families and communities win.

About NCAA
The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 400,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports.

Visit www.NCAA.org and www.NCAA.com for more details about the Association, its goals, members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes. [NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.]

About the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest “Phog” Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game.