CONTACT: Frank Murphy, (850) 644-1755, <fmurphy@fsu.edu>

May 14, 2008

WETHERELL TO SPEAK AT INAUGURAL FOOTBALL FORUM IN DALLAS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell is joining leaders from the world of college football and the news media this week in a first-of-its-kind national forum to discuss the major challenges shaping today’s college football landscape.

Wetherell will serve as one of seven panelists -- and the only university president -- at the inaugural Football Forum to be held in Dallas on May 15-16. The program was organized by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame, and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

The event, “College Football: Today and Tomorrow,” will feature four sessions, with discussion topics including media relations, academics, recruiting, player conduct, the obligations of coaches beyond the field, coaching compensation and contracts, minority coaching opportunities, the economics of the sport, postseason imperatives, the influence of the NFL on the college game, the state of high school football and the health of the game.

Wetherell, the only panelist from the Atlantic Coast Conference, said he is “looking forward to the discussions and establishing a healthy dialogue with the media, where ideas can be exchanged and information can flow freely in what promises to be an informal and relaxed session.”

“T.K. Wetherell’s passion for the game of college football extends far beyond just what is right for Florida State,” said NFF President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Hatchell. “Time and time again he has shown his concern for doing what is right for all of college football and the student-athletes who play the game. As one of our nation’s leading college presidents with an unsurpassed reputation, he will bring valuable credibility and insights to the first-ever Football Forum hosted by the NFF and the FWAA. We thank him for his leadership.”

In addition to Wetherell, panelists scheduled to attend include:

• Kevin Anderson, athletics director, United States Military Academy
• Mark Mangino, head coach, University of Kansas
• Gary Patterson, head coach, Texas Christian University
• Jim Tressel, head coach, Ohio State University
• Tyrone Willingham, head coach, University of Washington
• Kevin White, athletics director, University of Notre Dame

“This is a great opportunity for college coaches, administrators and the media to move from a press conference structure to a more relaxed atmosphere,” said Steve Richardson, FWAA executive director. “We certainly hope that this becomes an annual staple of the college football scene and will grow in popularity over the years where the media can engage some of the best minds in college football about the pertinent topics of the day.”

Media scheduled to attend include the Associated Press, USA Today, ESPN, CBS SportsLine, The Sporting News and others among the nation’s top writers and editors.

Event sponsors include the Heisman Trophy Trust, the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, the FedEx Orange Bowl and Schutt Sports.

Other participants include representatives from the NCAA, the conference offices of all 11 Football Bowl Subdivisions, all five of the BCS bowl games, the Division

I-A Athletics Directors Association, the American Football Coaches Association, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the North Texas High School Coaches Association and the College Sports Information Directors of America.

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