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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --Aug. 21, 1998
Contact: John Johnson or Mike Clifford 517.332.5046

EAST LANSING, Mich. --The Michigan High School Athletic Association has come to an agreement with its two year-round corporate partners, Farm Bureau Insurance and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, to extend their sponsorships with the Association.

The extension for both corporate partners continues their support of on-going programs to encourage scholarship in the classroom and healthy eating habits, as well as underwrite a variety of media promotions for the MHSAA, including two television cable packages for championship events, statewide radio networks for its girls and boys basketball finals, a statewide weekly scoreboard radio program, and souvenir programs in a variety of sports

"The partnerships that we enjoy with Farm Bureau Insurance and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan are model sponsorships for amateur athletics because they assist the Association in underwriting program enhancements it could not otherwise finance from its general budget, but also for the perspective they maintain by helping us deliver messages consistent with what's good about educational athletics," said John E. "Jack" Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA. "We pleased to have come to agreements with both parties that extend their partnerships with us as we head into the new millenium."

Farm Bureau Insurance is the longest standing year-round MHSAA corporate partner, beginning its relationship with the Association as a television sponsor, and then getting on board to underwrite its Scholar-Athlete Award beginning with the 1989-90 school year. Since the inception of the award, 178 student-athletes have been granted $1,000 scholarships to be used at the institution of higher education they attend following graduation. In addition, Farm Bureau will continue to designate a portion of its sponsorship dollars specifically for the promotion of girls' tournaments.

"We will continue to invest in the young people of this state," said Larry Thomas, executive vice president of Farm Bureau Insurance. "One of our company's core values is to serve Michigan families and give them better futures. We support programs that strengthen Michigan families and Michigan young people."

The United Dairy Industry of Michigan has been an MHSAA corporate partner for three years, and was instrumental in the development of the education component of the Michigan Weight Monitoring Program in the sport of wrestling. UDIM underwrites the Sports Nutrition Award, which has honored wrestling schools the past three years for their nutrition education efforts. Over $80,000 in school grants, scholarships and other prizes have been awarded through the Sports Nutrition Award, which expands in 1998-99 to all sports in which the MHSAA conducts post-season tournaments.

"The United Dairy Industry of Michigan is pleased to partner with the MHSAA in order to provide a positive influence in the lives of young people throughout out state," said Nick Bellows, chief executive officer of UDIM."

Roberts added that the MHSAA's corporate partnership program continues to seek additional involvement, looking for companies interested in supporting the Association's efforts in sportsmanship, safety, coaches education and officials education.

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by over 1,300 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments conducted in 12 sports for girls and 12 sports for boys which attract approximately 1.3 million spectators each year.

Farm Bureau Insurance & the United Dairy Industry of Michigan are year-round MHSAA Corporate Partners