NAIA, NFL, NCAA (Division I) and 15,000 high schools set to participate

President Ronald Reagan had strong ties to College football. In 1987 President Reagan signed into law legislation that allowed the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) to establish a qualified pension plan. Former president of the AFCA and Brigham Young head football coach LaVell Edwards, called this, “One of the most significant events in the 65-year history of the association.” President Reagan was also a lineman for Eureka College and, an actor in the movie, “Knute Rockne, All American” about the great Notre Dame coach.

In honor of these contributions to the sport of football at the collegiate level and President Reagan’s legacy of leadership, the AFCA and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) are officially supporting the Reagan Centennial National Football Coin Toss.

2011 marks the 100th birthday of President Ronald Reagan, who was born February 6, 1911. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation along with many partners, including a bipartisan committee appointed by the Congress and President Obama, are commemorating President Reagan’s birthday with a yearlong Centennial Celebration.

“We are very proud to be part of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration and excited to have NAIA football programs participate in the National Football Coin Toss,” said Jim Carr, NAIA President & CEO. “President Reagan is a tremendous example of how lessons learned through sport participation can have a positive impact later in life. For that we are honored to be involved in a signature initiative and Reagan’s 100th birthday celebration.”

Part of this celebration will be the Reagan Centennial National Football Coin Toss, occurring the weekend of September 23-25, 2011. 32 National Football League (NFL) teams, 126 National Collegiate Athletic Association D1 (NCAA) football teams, 85 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) football teams, and nearly 15,000 high school teams will be invited and encouraged to toss the Centennial commemorative coin at the start of each football game that weekend with a loudspeaker announcement acknowledging the legacy of Ronald Reagan and the Centennial.

The Reagan Centennial National Football Coin Toss continues his legacy for the next generation of Americans. This important initiative has three main components:

• To highlight the leadership attributes which football fosters, using the example of President Reagan, who played high school and college football, reported on college football as a radio announcer, and was a legendary fan of the game.
• To introduce the life and legacy of President Reagan to the next generation of Americans.
• To pay tribute to Ronald Reagan’s leadership which inspired freedom and changed the world.
  College Football Hall of Famer Lou Holtz; Boston College and NFL quarterback Doug Flutie; and four-time Super Bowl Champion and MVP Lynn Swann – will serve as Co-Chairs of the Ronald Reagan Centennial National Football Coin Toss.

“Ronald Reagan was the quintessential underdog,” said Flutie. “Those that underestimated him did so at their own peril. I am honored to be a part of this historic occasion.”

More information is available at the Reagan Centennial website www.reagancentennial.com/#/Coin, Facebook, or contact Garrett Marquis directly at (949) 683-1503, gmarquis@reaganfoundation.org.

Recent press:
CNN: A celebration of Reagan, with pigskin
Yahoo!: Football Legends Lou Holtz, Doug Flutie and Lynn Swann Announced as Co-Chairs of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation National Football Coin Toss
MSNBC: Football Legends Lou Holtz, Doug Flutie and Lynn Swann Announced as Co-Chairs of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation National Football Coin Toss
Cincinnati.com: Football Legends Lou Holtz, Doug Flutie and Lynn Swann Announced as Co-Chairs of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation National Football Coin Toss