FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 21, 2010) – The Davey O’Brien Foundation announced today Keith Jackson as recipient of the 2009 Charles Ringler Founder’s Award. The award honors an individual or corporation devoted to the Davey O’Brien Foundation that has exhibited the same passion, pride and perseverance as Charles Ringler himself. Ringler, a longtime friend of Davey O’Brien, established the Davey O’Brien Foundation and O’Brien Memorial Trophy in honor of the most outstanding player in the Southwest Conference, with other members of The Fort Worth Club in 1977.

Jackson, who provided the keynote address at the Foundation’s 1981 award banquet in honor of Baylor’s then linebacker Mike Singletary, got wind of another quarterback award in the making and suggested Ringler consider changing the award to honor Davey’s primary position as quarterback and expand it to be national in scope. Ringler jumped at the suggestion and the Foundation has been honoring the nation’s best quarterback with the prestigious Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^® ever since.

“This year’s recipient has provided guidance and friendship to the Foundation as its awards and the overall organization have evolved over the past 33 years,” said Scott Murray, chair of the Founder’s Award Committee. “He has been a friend to Charles through this process and we are grateful for his contributions and assistance.”

A longstanding member of the O’Brien National Selection Committee until his retirement, Jackson said of being named this year’s O’Brien Founder’s Award recipient, “It’s always an honor to be part of something like this from the very beginning. I’ve really enjoyed watching the O’Brien Trophy grow into what it is today.”

Born and raised in rural Georgia, Jackson served four years in the U.S. Marine Corp before enrolling at Washington State University. There Jackson began what would be a lifetime career in broadcasting. In 1952, Jackson broadcast his first football game, Washington State versus Stanford, on the campus radio station KWSC. After graduating from Washington State’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication in 1954, he continued his radio broadcasting career at KOMO-TV and Radio in Seattle, Wash. for 10 years. 

In 1962, Jackson joined ABC Sports and eventually became the first play-by-play announcer on Monday Night Football covering the National Football League. ABC Sports acquired the broadcast rights for NCAA football in 1966 and Jackson became the “voice of college football.” While at ABC, Jackson could also be seen on ABC’s Wide World of Sports covering a wide range of sports including the Olympic Games, NCAA basketball, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association and auto racing. 

Throughout his prolific career as a sportscaster, Jackson received numerous awards and accolades including being the first sportscaster ever to receive the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award by the American Football Coaches Association in 1993. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (1999) and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriter Association Hall of Fame (1995), after having won the National Sportscaster of the Year award five consecutive times (1972 – 1976). Jackson also received the National Football Foundation’s Gold Medal Award, its highest honor, in 1999. After a more than 50-year career in broadcasting, Jackson retired from ABC in April 2006. 

Aside from his accomplished career as a radio and TV broadcaster, Jackson’s other career highlights include appearances in television shows, movies, commercials and as the voice of sports documentaries. Jackson is also credited for coining Michigan Stadium as “The Big House” and is best known by fans for using the phrase “Whoa Nellie” during game broadcasts.

Keith and his wife of 57 years, Turi, have three grown children and currently reside in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

The Charles Ringer Founder’s Award will be presented Feb. 15 at the 33rd Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner. Other award recipients honored that evening will include Jackson’s broadcast booth partner Dan Fouts, O’Brien Legends Award recipient; Colt McCoy, 2009 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^® recipient; and Aaron Chang, 2009 O’Brien High School Scholarship Award recipient.  

Previous recipients of the Charles Ringler Founder’s Award include: Robert Lansford, JPMorgan Chase, The William E. Scott Foundation, American Airlines, The Fort Worth Club, Lamar Hunt, Don Looney and Dan Poland.

About The Davey O’Brien Foundation
The Davey O’Brien Foundation was founded in 1977 to honor and remember the strong character and leadership of football great, Davey O’Brien. Widely known for its Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^®, the Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through national awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away more than $770,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.DaveyOBrien.org.

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FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 20, 2010) – Aaron Chang, of Arlington’s Lamar High School, was named the recipient of the 2009 Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship by the Davey O’Brien Foundation. The scholarship was awarded during the Foundation’s 3rd Annual Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Luncheon at The Fort Worth Club on Jan. 19, 2010. Finalists for the Scholarship Award included Hannah Brown, Carroll Senior High School; Thomas Chatto, Richardson High School; James Ekstrom, Fort Worth Country Day; and Caitlin Radford, The Hockaday School.

Established in 1986, the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship has provided more than $480,000 in scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in the North Texas area. Recipients are chosen on the basis of scholastic achievements, community service, character, leadership and varsity sports participation. The winner receives a $20,000 scholarship to the college or university of his/her choice. The Foundation will also award a $1,000 scholarship to each of the four finalists. Scholarships are underwritten by Cantey Hanger and Frost Bank.  

Photos:

  
Left to right: Thomas Chatto (finalist), Aaron Chang (scholarship recipient), Hannah Brown (finalist), Scott Murray (emcee/O’Brien Board Memmber), James Ekstrom (finalist), Caitlin Radford (finalist), David O’Brien Jr. (chairman of the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Selection Committee)

 
From left to right: Aaron Chang (scholarship recipient) and David O’Brien, Jr. (chairman of the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Selection Committee)

For high resolution or additional photos, please submit your request to Media@DaveyOBrien.org. 

WINNER
As the top-ranked student in his class of 536, Aaron Chang has been recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction, is president of Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. He has competed on the varsity cross country team for four years, helping lead his team to back-to-back district championships, and also ran track. In addition to being a skilled violinist, Aaron participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and volunteers at a variety of organizations in his community.

About The Davey O’Brien Foundation
The Davey O’Brien Foundation (the Foundation) was founded in 1977 to honor and remember the strong character and leadership of football great, Davey O’Brien. Widely known for its Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^®, the Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through national awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away more than $770,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.DaveyOBrien.org.

About Cantey Hanger
Cantey Hanger, established in 1882, is a full-service law firm headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and represents clients in the following practice areas: Commercial Litigation; Corporate, Banking & Real Estate; Bankruptcy; Construction Law; Oil & Gas; Health & Insurance Law; Labor Relations; Tax & Estates; Public & Regulatory. It also has offices in Dallas and Southlake. For more information, go to www.CanteyHanger.com.

About Frost Bank
Frost is the banking, investments and insurance subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR), a financial holding company headquartered in San Antonio, with assets of $16.2 billion at Sept. 30, 2009. The corporation provides a full range of business and consumer banking products, investment and brokerage services, insurance products and investment banking services. Frost operates more than 100 financial centers across Texas in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost is the largest Texas-based banking organization that operates only in Texas, with a legacy of helping Texans with their financial needs during three centuries. For more information, visit www.FrostBank.com.

Corporate Partners
The Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to The Fort Worth Club, Marvin Electronics and Murray Media for their support of the luncheon, as well as to Cantey Hanger and Frost Bank for underwriting the scholarship. Their generous support helps to ensure that deserving area high school students have the opportunity to create their own legacy of greatness through continued education.

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FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 7, 2010) – The Davey O’Brien Foundation (the Foundation) is pleased to announce its finalists for the 2009 Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Award, presented each year to an outstanding senior student-athlete in the North Texas area. The recipient of the $20,000 scholarship will be announced Jan.19 during the 3rd Annual Davey O’Brien Scholarship Luncheon held at The Fort Worth Club. The Foundation will also award a $1,000 scholarship to each of the four remaining finalists.

Established in 1986, the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship has provided more than $480,000 in scholarships to high school seniors. Recipients are chosen on the basis of scholastic achievements, community service, character, leadership and varsity sports participation.

Hannah Brown, Carroll Senior High School
Hannah Brown is a dedicated student and athlete at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake. A four-year varsity athlete on both the cross country and track teams, Hannah has also played club soccer at the national level for seven years. Ranking first in her class of 651, she has been named a National Merit Commended Scholar, National AP Scholar, Wendy’s High School Heisman School Winner and is the recipient of the Mark Jameson All-State Insurance Scholar Athlete Award. Recognized as “motivated, inquisitive and well-rounded,” Hannah is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, French National Honor Society and serves as a liaison between her school and community as a Green Jacket. Outside the walls of Carroll Senior High, she is very involved with the prestigious Carroll Medical Academy, National Charity League and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Aaron Chang, Lamar High School
Aaron Chang is a talented and compassionate individual who has cultivated his academic and athletic talents during his time at Arlington’s Lamar High School. His ability to excel in multiple areas while “always displaying honor and integrity at the highest level” is admired by those who know him. As the top-ranked student in his class of 536, Aaron has been recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction, is president of Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. He has competed on the varsity cross country team for four years, helping lead his team to back-to-back district championships, and also ran track. In addition to being a skilled violinist, Aaron participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and volunteers at a variety of organizations in his community.

Thomas Chatto, Richardson High School
Thomas Chatto is an outstanding role model and motivator at Richardson High School. A four-year varsity swimmer and team captain, Thomas has been praised by his coach and teachers as a “positive leader and excellent athlete” who is “committed to excellence in every facet of life.” Dedicated to improving his skills, he began swimming with the Dallas Aquatic Masters in the off-seasons and joined a club team at the beginning of his junior year. Out of the water, he is an AP Scholar and is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society. Thomas is very involved in extracurricular activities at Richardson; he is a member of the Student Council, Symphonic Orchestra, Spanish and French clubs, Mock Trial team and Law Review. The trilingual scholar-athlete (English, French and Spanish) also spends time volunteering in his community and with St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Youth Group.

James Ekstrom, Fort Worth Country Day
James Ekstrom, a devoted student and athlete at Fort Worth Country Day, is recognized for his ability to “change the lives of those around him.” In the classroom, he is a member of the Cum Laude Society and the French Honor Society and has been named a National Merit Semifinalist. James has competed on the varsity wrestling team for four years and the varsity track and field (shot put and discus) team for the past two years. During his senior year, James served as captain of both teams. James’ leadership skills are not just limited to the athletic forum; he currently serves as president of the Student Council and as a Link Crew leader. The Homecoming King also plays an integral part of Country Day’s performing arts program. James has displayed “incredible talent and range” starring in everything from West Side Story to Oedipus Tyrrannus and Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Caitlin Radford, The Hockaday School
Caitlin Radford, a senior at The Hockaday School in Dallas, is an extraordinary individual with the propensity for helping others in any way she can. Recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist, Caitlin also received honors as an AP Scholar with Distinction and was inducted into the Cum Laude Society and “Dux Femina Facti” Hockaday Latin Honor Society. An accomplished athlete, she has competed on the varsity swim team for four years and at the club level for 11 years with the Dallas Mustangs. As a senior, Caitlin was selected captain by her coaches and peers due to her “leadership, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport and team.” Caitlin is very involved in her community; founding the annual Hockaday Community Service Book Drive for the USO “Room to Read” program, tutoring middle school students and serving as a Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Ambassador.

“Each of these candidates is extraordinary, and the Foundation is honored to be able to contribute to their college educations,” said David O’Brien, Jr., chairman of the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Selection Committee. “They all have the potential to achieve greatness and make an impact on whatever endeavor they choose next.”

Each finalist will be interviewed by the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Selection Committee before the recipient is announced on Jan. 19. The Selection Committee is comprised of committee chairman David O’Brien, Jr., Karen Anisman, Todd Blouin, Raymond B. Kelly III, William Landreth, Jr., Walter Littlejohn and Pollard Rogers.

Cantey Hanger and Frost Bank underwrite the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship. Their generous support helps to ensure that deserving area high school students have the opportunity to create their own legacy of greatness through continued education.

About The Davey O’Brien Foundation
The Davey O’Brien Foundation (the Foundation) was founded in 1977 to honor and remember the strong character and leadership of football great, Davey O’Brien. Widely known for its Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^®, the Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through national awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away more than $770,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.DaveyOBrien.org.

About Cantey Hanger
Cantey Hanger, established in 1882, is a full-service law firm headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and represents clients in the following practice areas: Commercial Litigation; Corporate, Banking & Real Estate; Bankruptcy; Construction Law; Oil & Gas; Health & Insurance Law; Labor Relations; Tax & Estates; Public & Regulatory. It also has offices in Dallas and Southlake. For more information, go to www.CanteyHanger.com.

About Frost Bank
Frost is the banking, investments and insurance subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR), a financial holding company headquartered in San Antonio, with assets of $16.2 billion at Sept. 30, 2009. The corporation provides a full range of business and consumer banking products, investment and brokerage services, insurance products and investment banking services. Frost operates more than 100 financial centers across Texas in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost is the largest Texas-based banking organization that operates only in Texas, with a legacy of helping Texans with their financial needs during three centuries. For more information, visit www.FrostBank.com.

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