Northwestern University Athletics
Big Ten Conference Unveils New Public Service Announcements
8/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 27, 2008
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -
On August 30, the Big Ten Conference will debut a new series of television public service announcements (PSA) themed Big Life. Big Stage. Big Ten. The PSAs feature prominent alumni and current and former Big Ten student-athletes, including Northwestern's C.J. Bachér, Prince Kwateng, Sherrick McManis, Tyrell Sutton and Rasheed Ward. The PSAs will appear during Big Ten athletic events throughout the academic year on ABC, CBS, ESPN and the Big Ten Network.
"We are excited to unveil our newest public service effort, Big Life. Big Stage. Big Ten.," said Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany. "The theme speaks to the breadth, visibility and impact of the Big Ten across all aspects of life and sport."
The PSAs incorporate prominent alumni and current Big Ten student-athletes to underscore the balance of the conference's future orientation, along with its strong 100-plus year history and tradition of competitive intercollegiate athletic programs.
The first series of three PSAs, entitled Find Your Voice, issues a "call to action" that encourages all members of the Big Ten community to find their voice no matter their chosen path. The PSAs illustrate that Big Ten alumni make a big impact on life's biggest stages.
The PSAs feature one prominent alum from each institution who is recognized for notable accomplishments in his or her field and is considered inspirational to many generations. The combination of alumni in each spot highlights the extensiveness of Big Ten alumni accomplishments across a wide range of industries.
Representing Northwestern University in the compelling PSA is sports journalist Michael Wilbon. Wilbon writes a sports column in The Washington Post, and has a weekly sports show, Pardon the Interruption, on ESPN and WRC-TV in Washington. His voice is unique in that he is one of fewer than 10 black columnists at major daily newspapers in America. His work at The Washington Post has led to weekly appearances on ESPN and WRC-TV in Washington. Wilbon received a bachelor's degree from the Medill School of Journalism in 1980.
The second series of PSAs under the Big Life. Big Stage. Big Ten. theme is titled I Will. The national PSA features children from all over the country, united by their aspirations to possess the attributes of Big Ten alumni who are current NFL stars, as well as their desire to play on the "Big Stage" of Big Ten football.
The I Will PSAs have also been customized for each institution. The I Will PSA for Northwestern shows current standouts--Bachér, Kwateng, McManis, Sutton and Ward--in authentic settings noting their desires to possess the positive attributes of the NFL stars that have preceded them. The quintet of preceding NFL stars includes Pat Fitzgerald, Luis Castillo, D'Wayne Bates, Damien Anderson and Darnell Autry. The Northwestern PSA will air on the Big Ten Network.
The final and most extensive series of PSAs is entitled Faces of the Big Ten. Approximately 150 original spots featuring current student-athletes from various sports and representing all 11 institutions will air only on the Big Ten Network. The series of PSAs offers insight into the lives and personalities of Big Ten student-athletes as they share their unique stories in a style that is personal. The first 11 of the installation will begin airing by September 6, with the balance phased in throughout the academic year.
The Big Life. Big Stage. Big Ten. initiative will also include men's and women's basketball PSAs which will air later this fall.
The Big Life. Big Stage. Big Ten. PSAs were produced by Chicago-based TeamWorks Media, a sports and entertainment content company. This marks the seventh consecutive year that TeamWorks Media has created PSAs in partnership with the Big Ten Conference.
The Northwestern I Will PSA is available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyPTtzNhLpo. To view the full collection of PSAs, visit the official conference website at http://bigten.cstv.com/genrel/082708aaa.html.
