Line-up includes U.S. Paralympic basketball exhibitions, Coaches vs. Cancer free throw contest and Bob Cousy Award presentation, March 30 - April 2

The Hartford’s line-up includes wheelchair basketball exhibitions, a financial education kiosk and a free throw contest awarding the winner with two tickets to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship Game.  The company will also host an award presentation on Monday, April 2 at the Atlanta Hyatt Hotel to introduce the nation’s top point guard in men’s collegiate basketball.

“This year The Hartford is bringing together basketball greats from many arenas – champion disabled athletes, outstanding collegiate student-athletes, former professional stars and gifted, successful coaches – to underscore how ability, teamwork and leadership help win in every aspect of life,” said Ann B. Glover, The Hartford's group senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

“We anticipate that The Hartford will reach a very broad audience with its messaging and initiatives as it extends its programming into Hoop City,” said Greg Shaheen, NCAA senior vice president for basketball and championship strategies.  “The Hartford has been a visible corporate partner with the Playbook for Life program, and we’re pleased to support them in a joint effort to help educate NCAA student-athletes on financial planning for the future and with their programs surrounding the Men’s Final Four.”  

One of the nation’s leading providers of investment products, The Hartford is an official corporate partner of the NCAA, the founding sponsor of the U.S. Paralympics, a sponsor of Coaches vs. Cancer and a partner of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. These programs, which span The Hartford’s organization and support its diverse business lines, reflect the company’s long-standing commitment to the core values embodied in business, amateur athletics and higher education, including leadership, teamwork, integrity and excellence.

A line-up of the exciting events made possible by The Hartford during the NCAA Men’s Final Four weekend include:

The Hartford’s Coaches vs. Cancer Free Throw Challenge

At The Hartford’s Coaches vs. Cancer Free Throw Challenge, hoops fans who donate $2 to the American Cancer Society will have 30 seconds to make as many free throws as possible. The shooter with the greatest number of baskets will receive two tickets to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship Game. Also up for grabs are T-shirts and basketballs autographed by top college coaches.

To support cancer research and education, The Hartford launched its sponsorship of Coaches vs. Cancer in 2006.  Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society.  In 2006, The Hartford donated a total of $175,000 to Coaches vs. Cancer, which taps the personal experiences, community leadership and professional excellence of top college basketball coaches to increase cancer awareness, promote healthy living, raise money and promote advocacy programs.

U.S. Paralympic Basketball Players Demonstrate Abilities

This is the second year that The Hartford is bringing the premier athletes of wheelchair basketball to NCAA Hoop City to create a special experience for sports fans unfamiliar with this version of the sport.  U.S. Paralympic basketball players will showcase their skills in daily half-hour scrimmages on center court in Hoop City at these dates and times:

Hoop City attendees will see America’s best wheelchair basketball players perform prior to their competition on the world stage at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Bejing, China.  The elite wheelchair basketball players are Jeremy Campbell of Milwaukee, Wis.; Joe Chambers of Milwaukee, Wis.; Gavin Cloy of Rosewell, Ga.; Josh George of Champaign, Ill.; Jennifer Ruddell of Champaign, Ill.; Paul Schulte of Bradenton, Fla.; Matt Scott of Whitewater, Wis.; Steve Serio of Champaign, Ill.; Jeff Townsend of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Stephanie Wheeler of Northport, Ala.

The Hartford’s Group Benefits Division has been a proud supporter of disabled sporting events, organizations and athletes since 1993.  In 2003, The Hartford became the founding sponsor of U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee that recruits and trains more than 500 elite athletes with physical disabilities.

Bob Cousy Award Presented by The Hartford

Following weeks of on-line fan voting and a final decision made by an expert selection committee, this year’s recipient of the Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford will be introduced on Monday, April 2 in Atlanta.  Media are invited to a press conference at 11:30 a.m. at the Atlanta Hyatt Hotel hosted by sportscaster Jim Nantz and Bob Cousy, coinciding with a ceremony announcing the newest inductees of the Basketball Hall of Fame.  Fans can view a replica of the Cousy Award trophy in the NCAA Hall of Champions area at Hoop City.  

In January 2006, The Hartford’s Property and Casualty operations launched a three-year partnership with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to promote the prestigious Cousy Award, an honor established in 2004 and presented annually to the nation’s top point guard in men’s collegiate basketball.  The award pays tribute to basketball legend Bob Cousy, long considered the prototype for point guards.  It is given to players who exemplify superior skills on the court, as well as intangible factors, such as leadership, vision, selflessness and focus.

“For nearly 200 years, The Hartford and its network of independent agents have represented leadership, vision, teamwork and integrity in the insurance industry,” said Dana Drago, executive vice president of sales and distribution for The Hartford’s Property and Casualty operations. “We’ve been honored to be part of a growing college basketball tradition that shares these same winning values and promotes the legacy of Mr. Cousy and his esteemed award.”

Recipients of the award have included Jameer Nelson from St. Joseph’s University in 2004, Raymond Felton from the University of North Carolina in 2005 and Dee Brown from the University of Illinois in 2006.  For more information on the Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford, visit http://www.cousyaward.com/home.htm.

The Hartford’s Playbook for Life

In addition to the other events, The Hartford will bring its award-winning Playbook for Life financial literacy program to Atlanta and Cleveland with personal finance sessions specifically for men’s and women’s basketball coaches in conjunction with the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Women's Basketball Coaches Association conventions. The Hartford, which became an official corporate partner of the NCAA in 2004, worked with the NCAA to develop the Playbook for Life program to give student-athletes and young adults timely and important information and education on managing personal finances while in college and as they prepare to enter the real world. While college often provides exemplary training in preparation for a career, research shows students leave school needing more know-how about the basics of money and credit. Copies of The Hartford’s Playbook for Life guidebook will be available free of charge at a special kiosk at NCAA Hoop City.  More information about the program is available at www.playbook.thehartford.com.

The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, with 2006 revenues of $26.5 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com.

About the NCAA

The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 380,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaasports.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.

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