Jan. 21, 2011

• NFL Alumni Bowling Challenge

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Austin chapter of the NFL Alumni is sponsoring the First Annual NFL Alumni Bowling Challenge to benefit The University of Texas Neighborhood Longhorns Program (NLP).

Set for Saturday, Feb. 19, at Highland Lanes, the bowling challenge begins at noon and features a two-game team competition. Each team consists of four sponsor players, a current or former NFL player and an NLP student. Current NFL stars scheduled to appear are Cory Redding, Kasey Studdard, Frank Okam, Tarell Brown and Aaron Ross. Alums Priest Holmes, Doug English, Gale Gilbert and Roosevelt Leaks also are scheduled to play, along with many more.

The third and final game of the challenge will pit current NFL players against NFL alumni.

All proceeds will benefit NLP, the official community service arm of UT Athletics. By partnering with the Austin Independent School District and UT Athletics, NLP is able to offer children real incentives to excel academically. Through various reading and leadership programs, NLP rewards students with opportunities to attend UT sporting events, and even meet and mingle with coaches and student-athletes.

Although originally born into the UT Athletics family in 1991, NLP is currently housed in UT's Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and more than 85 percent of the program’s funding comes through fundraising initiatives. By providing economically disadvantaged youth with incentive-based learning programs, NLP currently helps more than 5,000 students in second through eighth grades and currently serves 30 schools throughout the Austin community.

Baseball coach Augie Garrido, Women's Basketball coach Gail Goestenkors and Softball coach Connie Clark each direct reading and leadership programs for NLP students. Since its inception, NLP has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to students who have excelled in reading programs and in classrooms.

For more information including sponsorship opportunities, please call (512) 232-4654 or visit nlp.utexas.edu.