The American Advertising Federation – Fort Worth (AAF-FW) recognized the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl with the 2008 Dateline Award for the Bowl’s success in promoting Fort Worth on a national level.
“Outside of positioning Fort Worth in the national spotlight, we greatly appreciate the notable names, football fans, families and players the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl has brought to Fort Worth, not to mention the charitable events and opportunities provided by the organization,” said Mike Roundtree, president of AAF-FW.
As noted in the Bowl’s name, the military has tremendous influence in the Fort Worth event. Since the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl’s inception six years ago, a host of representatives from every branch of the military have come to Fort Worth to participate.
“We are humbled by this honor,” said Tom Starr, executive director of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. “Our success can be attributed to our staff, volunteers, the military, and not only our title partner, but our friends, Bell Helicopter. They are the reasons we’ve won this award.”
Second only to the game itself is the charitable component of the Bowl. Thanks to corporate sponsors, more than 8,000 tickets were distributed to active military and their families to attend the game for free. During the spring and summer, the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl was proud to donate portions of ticket proceeds to the USO and the Children of Fallen Soldiers fund.
This year’s Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl featured a New Years Eve match up between the University of Houston and Army. The game catapulted Fort Worth into the national spotlight when General David H. Patraeus took the field for the coin toss and again during half-time where he was presented with the 2008 Great American Patriot Award for working tirelessly to make the United States a better and safer place for all of its citizens.
Starr also took time to address the rumors of a move to Dallas for the Bowl. He acknowledged talking to venues such as the Cotton Bowl, Cowboy’s Stadium and SMU, but only as back up venues – should something happen at the Amon G. Carter stadium at TCU. “Fort Worth has been very good to us and this is our home,” Starr said.
Previous Dateline Award recipients include the North Texas Speedway, the Van Cliburn Competition and Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. Last year’s winner was Chef Tim Love, who won recognition on television for his victory over Iron Chef Morimoto in 2007, as well as acclaim for his restaurants Love Shack and Lonesome Dove.
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