NCAA Will Celebrate Military Families At More Than 600 Events in 2012

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is joining forces with First Lady Michelle Obama to recognize, honor and support our troops and their families. Throughout 2012, the NCAA will highlight the sacrifices made by service members and their families across its 89 championship events that span 23 sports.

“Our nation’s service members demonstrate the kind of example we should all try to set for young people, and we at the NCAA are honored to recognize military members and families across the 89 championship events we host every year,” said NCAA President Emmert. “As student-athletes learn in practice every day, each of us must rely on others to succeed; from here on in, military members and their families can look to the NCAA for the recognition and thanks they so richly deserve.”

That recognition will include public address announcements at all finals sites as well as at approximately 600 preliminary round sites; access to youth clinics for children of military families (Men’s and Women’s Final Four and other NCAA-sponsored clinics; designated seating areas at select special events for military families; inviting military personnel to serve as honorary team or game captains; and behind-the-scenes tours prior to select championship competitions for families of military personnel

A new video featuring the First Lady and NCAA President Mark Emmert will air for the first time on Saturday, January 7^7th at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title game -- but you can see it here first.

Watch Joining Forces with the NCAA, here.