Nov. 17, 1999
LAS VEGAS - Burger King Corporation has named UNLV's Tim O'Reilly as a Division I-A College Football Scholar Athlete.
In honor of his outstanding athletic and academic achievements and his commitment to mentoring the community's youth, Burger King Corporation has donated $10,000 to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' general scholarship fund in his name.
Kurt Pederson, Burger King General Manager of HKM II in Las Vegas and UNLV alumnus, will present the award to Tim and UNLV President, Dr. Carol C. Harter and Director of Athletics, Charles Cavagnaro. The check presentation will take place during the half time ceremonies at the UNLV vs. San Diego State University home football game, Saturday, November 20.
Developed to foster the pursuit of athletic and academic excellence while encouraging social awareness and community service, the Burger King College Football Scholarship Program is the single largest corporate commitment of its kind to the sport of college football. The awarding of these scholarships is based on academic achievement, dedication to community service and athletic ability. Now in its fifth year, the program has already donated a total of $4.3 million dollars in college scholarship funds to 211 colleges and universities nationwide. The 1999 program will raise the overall Burger King contribution to $5.3 million.
"These athletes serve as outstanding role models of achievement in the classroom, on the football field and in their communities," says Richard Taylor, vice president, Marketing Services, Burger King Corporation. "We are proud to honor these young people who have truly applied themselves in school and still found the time to remain actively involved with helping others."
O'Reilly, a three-year starting place-kicker for the UNLV football team, is a 1999 graduate from UNLV. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration with a 3.3 GPA and chose to continue his education at the William S. Boyd School of Law on the UNLV campus, making him the first active UNLV student athlete to attend law school.
While attending law school as a full-time student, he is continuing to play his senior season for the UNLV Rebels. In addition to his academic and athletic endeavors, Tim is a leader in student-academic activities and is a vital member of the Las Vegas campus community. He is a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas and is an active volunteer for National Reading Week for the Clark County School District.
Each week throughout the 10-week program, Burger King Corporation will name eight scholar athlete award winners, two from each division. In recognition of each Scholar Athlete's achievements, Burger King Corporation will then donate $10,000 in the athlete's name to his college/university's general scholarship fund. Four of these winners, one from each college football division, will be selected as finalists for the 1999 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year Award and garner an additional $25,000 for his college/university.
The Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year award honors the nation's top scholar athlete in college football. In recognition of the Scholar Athlete of the Year, Burger King Corporation will set up a $100,000 scholarship endowment at the college/university of the honored winner.
The winner of the 1999 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year Award will be announced in December. Last year's recipient was Josh Penry from Mesa State College who since graduating has become press secretary for Arizona's House Representative Scott McGinnis.
Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee garnered the distinction of becoming the first Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1997 and is now playing in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts.
Burger King Corporation and its franchisees operate more than 10,600 restaurants in all 50 states and in 54 countries and international territories around the world. Since the company's founding in Miami in 1954, the BURGER KING? brand has become recognized for great flame-broiled taste and HAVE IT YOUR WAY? food customization. In fiscal year 1998, the BURGER KING? system had system-wide sales of $10.9 billion. Burger King Corporation is a part of Diageo (NYSE:DEO), the international food and drinks company that includes such brands as Pillsbury, Haagen Dazs, and Guinness. To learn more about the BURGER KING? system, please visit the company's website at WWW.BURGERKING.COM.
