| Now, thanks to LSU defeating
Ohio State in New Orleans on Monday night in the Allstate BCS Championship
game, the LSU band is going to move a few steps closer to having a new
home to accommodate its 325 members to keep the roar and noise alive for
future generations of LSU fans.
To “keep the beat alive,” Nikco Sports announced
today the production of a limited edition, full-sized championship football
(just 5,000 will be made) to celebrate LSU’s third national championship
and second BCS title to go along with the one captured in 2003. The Tigers
also won the national title in 1958. The footballs are priced at $99 each
and include a display case with a handsome black base, making for a stunning
presentation for any office or home.
The goal is to raise $37,500 ($7.50 per ball) that will
be used towards the construction of a new band hall for the Golden
Band from Tigerland, a fundraising initiative that is presently
underway. Fans can order the footballs while the supply lasts by calling
1-800-345-2868 or visiting www.nikcosports.com.
Each football comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. In
recent years, Nikco Sports has raised almost $1.6 million for children’s
charities and other special endeavors.
The LSU championship football will feature distinct and
attractive three white panels, each one full of historic and important
information. These will not be sold elsewhere, making it a “must-have”
for any diehard Tigers fan, something that can be displayed proudly at
home, in an office or used as a fundraising gift at golf events or silent
auctions.
Here’s a quick overview
of each white panel:
Panel One displays the colorful official
LSU logo, with a specific reference to previous national titles and SEC
championships won over the years by the Tigers. It’s a great way
to reflect back on the tradition and success of LSU football over many
decades.
Panel Two showcases the official Allstate
BCS championship game logo in the center, with the date of the game and
venue to the left and the names of both teams to the right.
Panel Three features a recap of the 2007
regular season, and lists each opponent, date and final score. It is a
great way to remember and reflect back on another season of excellence
turned in by the Tigers.
“Being a big fan of all the hoopla and pageantry
that you find at college football games, and being someone who loves to
listen to and play good music myself, I can’t think of a better
combination to celebrate: another LSU national football title, AND an
opportunity to help out the LSU band in gathering needed funds for a new
band hall on campus,” said Craig Bidner, whose company has continued
to give back to the community since its inception in 1992. “We’re
very pleased to present this historic piece of sports memorabilia for
Tiger fans to enjoy, and at the same time we are honored to be able to
continue to raise funds for the construction of a new Band Hall at LSU,
so that the 325 members will have more storage space for uniforms and
instruments, along with an indoor facility to practice in during inclement
weather.”
During the past several years, Nikco Sports
has almost $1.6 million for charitable organizations across
the nation with the issue of limited-edition sports memorabilia that has
honored amateur and professional teams, as well as select athletes such
athletes as Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger,
along with Peyton Manning, Jim Kelly, Carson Palmer, Steve Young, John
Elway, David Robinson, John Stockton, Magic Johnson, Roger Clemens, Ryne
Sandberg, Paul Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Edgar Martinez, Ichiro, Ozzie Smith,
Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio and
Cal Ripken Jr.
About the New LSU
Band Hall:
The LSU Band department is in the process of raising approximately $10
million for the new LSU Band Hall. Interested parties can also become
a charter member of the “Friends of the Tiger Band” organization
and can donate a gift online at www.friendsofthelsutigerband.org.
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