You may recall that last year we did a post for a limited edition football to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and they're back again this year with a new football to commemorate the perfect '09 season and berth in the National Title Game. There's more info at www.nikcosports.com (and the press release and ordering info is after the jump), but here's what they will look like:
Limited Edition Football & Display Case a Great Collectible for Bama Fans Crimson Tide Celebrates "Perfect"Regular Season And Hopes to Land National Title #13 in Pasadena Only 5,000 BCS Championship Game Footballs Will Be Produced Funds from Sales Will Benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL – Is history on the side of the Crimson Tide? And is 13 Alabama’s lucky number? Those are two questions being pondered today as Alabama’s 13-0 and top-ranked football team gets ready for a BCS Championship game date against the #2 Texas Longhorns, going against an opponent they have not faced since the 1982 Cotton Bowl. The last time and ONLY time Alabama won 13 games in a season they went on to win the national title,, defeating Miami in the January 1, 1993 Sugar Bowl game. This time around they hope to win the school’s 13th national title and gain a school record 14th win when they face Texas out in Pasadena, CA on January 7. All these numbers and the history-making is also getting the attention of some youngsters who have some life-threatening medical conditions and look to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama to raise monies to get wishes granted for them, especially during the holiday season. That’s because Nikco Sports announced it will be working with them on a project to produce a limited edition, full-sized Alabama BCS title game football to help raise some funds for the local youngsters. Just 5,000 of the officially licensed footballs, complete with the official BCS Championship logo on one of the three white panels, will be produced. Each football comes with a handsome acrylic display case and is priced at $99 each. In recent years, Nikco Sports has raised more than $1.7 million for children’s charities. Tide fans can order the footballs while the supply lasts by calling 1-800-345-2868 or visiting www.nikcosports.com. Each football is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity, suitable for framing, to enhance the value. The football will feature three distinct and attractive white panels, each one full of historic and important information. These will not be sold elsewhere, making it a "must-have" for any diehard Bama fan, something that can be displayed proudly at home, in an office or used as a fundraising gift at golf events or silent auctions. A special gift flyer that includes a photo of the football can also be downloaded off the Nikco Sports website so fans can use as a holiday gift idea immediately.
Here’s a quick overview of the 3 white panels on the football: Panel One will contain information about the school’s stadium history, including the date of the first game played there on Sept. 28, 1929. In the center of this panel is the traditional school logo and to the right side of that is a listing of Bama’s championship history, including a listing of all 12 national titles, and recognition of 26 conference championships, 10 undefeated seasons and 57 bowl appearances. Panel Two will recap the 2009 regular season, game-by-game, with opponents and final scores of each contest, and also will be framed around another Alabama school logo. It also has a printed inscription that reads "Perfect Regular Season." Panel Three is reserved for the official BCS championship game logo, and includes the venue of the January 7, 2010 game (Pasadena) along with the two opponents (Texas vs. Alabama). If the Crimson Tide goes on to win the national title, the final score of the game and the words "National Champions" will be added to this section of the football. Fans will need to purchase the football before the January 7 game to lock in their opportunity to own this historic piece of Alabama football history. "Alabama certainly has posted an impressive run to an unbeaten regular season, including that dramatic SEC title game win over top-ranked Florida," noted Nikco Sports CEO Craig Bidner, whose company has continued to give back to the community since its inception in 1992. "When you think of Bama football, which dates back to 1892, you think of their rich history, the 12 national titles and their consistency—the only SEC school to win a league title in each decade since the SEC began in 1933. Very impressive. "Impressive is another description I would use to describe the work being done by the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama, as they help out youngsters who have some life-threatening medical conditions. We’re honored and pleased to be a part of a project that can salute both the great football history of Alabama, and help out the youngsters at the local Make-A-Wish Foundation, especially during the holiday season." About the Make-A-Wish Foundation The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 168,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception.