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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Editorial Contacts:
Empire Challenge
Web Site
Mike Buscemi /
Lynn Vandenberg
www.empirechallenge.com
Boomer Esiason Foundation
BEF Web
Site
516-746-0077
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE EMPIRE CHALLENGE
TOP HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL TALENT FROM
LONG ISLAND & NEW YORK
CITY MEET IN
THE 11th
ANNUAL ALL-STAR GAME
WHILE ADVANCING THE
FIGHT AGAINST CF
Outback Steakhouse, Canon
U.S.A., Inc., the National Football League, Under Armour,
the New York Jets, Anaconda
Sports, Aramark, CBS Outdoor and Nike Support
the Boomer Esiason Foundation
and its Fight to Cure Cystic Fibrosis
FanFest, Halftime
Activities and Bay Fireworks presented by Canon
Highlight Day-Long
Event at James M. Shuart Stadium - Hofstra University
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. �
June 16, 2026 � For the eleventh consecutive year, the brightest
football talent from New York City and Long Island will be the
centerpiece of a football extravaganza that will raise money and
awareness to fight cystic fibrosis and support youth football in the
New York metropolitan area.
Boomer Esiason,
ex-NFL quarterback and analyst for both CBS Sports� The NFL Today
and Monday Night Football on the Westwood One/CBS Radio Sports
network, announced today the details of the eleventh annual Outback
Steakhouse Empire Challenge all-star football game which will be held
on June 29 at the James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University.
Created by Esiason
in 1996 as a benefit for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, the Gunnar H.
Esiason Endowment Scholarship Fund at Hofstra University and local
youth football programs, the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge has
grown to become the crowning goal of high school football players
throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Kickoff for the
eleventh anniversary event is set for 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at
6:00 p.m.
A series of
pre-game and post-game activities are also planned, including a
spectacular Bay Fireworks display presented by Canon immediately
following the game. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at
the James M. Shuart Stadium ticket booth on game day. Ticket sales
begin at 5:30 p.m.
In addition, a
number of local and international companies have teamed up with the
Boomer Esiason Foundation to underwrite the cost of the football game
and other day-long activities for the entire family. Outback
Steakhouse, Canon U.S.A., Inc., NFL Youth Football, the New York Jets
and many others will help the Foundation raise a significant amount of
money at the June 29 event.
In a recent
interview, Mr. Esiason expressed his gratitude for those companies who
have taken an active role in supporting their local communities.
�The support these companies have provided to the
Boomer Esiason Foundation is a great example of how corporate America
can make an impact in bettering the communities where employees work
and live,� said Esiason. �Their support for the Foundation will be
used to improve the lives of all those afflicted with cystic
fibrosis. As both a local resident and a parent of a child with
cystic fibrosis, I�m thankful for companies like Canon U.S.A., the New
York Jets, NFL Youth Football and Outback Steakhouse who believe that
giving back to the community is critical to their role as corporate
citizens.� With the support of these and other corporate sponsor
relationships, the Boomer Esiason Foundation has raised over $45
million to date.
One of these corporations is located not far from Hofstra University�s
James M. Shuart Stadium. Canon U.S.A., Inc., has supported the annual
all-star classic since it�s beginning in 1996. "Canon U.S.A. is proud
to be a part of this great event each year," said Bill Reed, Senior
Vice President and General Manager of Corporate Communications. �By
supporting this event, we can show our pride in being a member of the
New York and Long Island communities as well as our commitment to the
Boomer Esiason Foundation.�
�The Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge is an
excellent example of how the entire community can be brought together,
cheer on their favorite players and raise money for very worthy local
and national charities,� said Robert Jarvis, joint venture partner for
Outback Steakhouse. �Our involvement doesn�t begin or end with upper
management. All our employees volunteer and participate in more than
200 community events throughout the year, including the Empire
Challenge,� Mr. Jarvis added.
New York City /
Long Island
All-Star Team Practice Schedule
Team practices will be held at the New York Jets
complex June 23 - 28. ALL credential and interview requests for that
week must be submitted via the supplied �e-registration form� on the
Empire Challenge Web site
http://www.empirechallenge.com/pages/media_credentials.html
no later than Thursday, June 22. PRACTICES ARE CLOSED TO
THE PUBLIC. NO media personnel will be allowed into the Jets
complex unless a formal request is submitted before June 22.
To access TEAM
PRACTICES for your date and time-specific requests, please provide
photo identification upon your arrival at the New York Jets complex.
PLEASE NOTE: Entrance to practices will be from the back
parking lot near the white bubble dome, not the main complex
entrance. No one attending practices will be admitted through the
main complex entrance.
Please Note: All
practice times subject to change.
No media personnel
will be allowed into the Jets complex without submitting a formal
request.
Practice Schedule - New York Jets Complex
Friday, June 23
LI 12:15p � 3:15p
NYC 3:30p � 6:30p
Saturday, June 24 NYC
10 a � 1p
Sunday, June 25
NYC 10 a � 1p
Monday, June 26
LI 12:15p � 3:15p
Tuesday, June 27
LI 12:15p � 3:15p
Wednesday, June 28
LI 10 a � 1p
NYC 1:30p � 4:30p
Game Day
Media
Credentials
Media interested
in attending the game must formally submit a credential request via
the Empire Challenge Web site
http://www.empirechallenge.com/pages/media_credentials.html --no
later than Friday, June 23. All requests must include
names of all attending media personnel from each media organization.
Media credentials will be available at the Will Call Window at the
ticket booth at the southwest corner of the stadium�s main entrance on
game day. Please present photo identification at the ticket
booth. Will Call will be staffed from 3:30-8:00 p.m. Gates
will open at 6:00 p.m.
June 29 Game
Day Events
FanFest
ADMISSION IS FREE!!
From 3:30 � 6:30 p.m., James M. Shuart Stadium Parking
Lot � Hofstra University Fans of all ages will be able to
participate in FanFest which features Generation Jets Fest.
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GENERATION JETS
FEST
Generation Jets
Fest, the New York Jets' interactive theme park includes
 inflatable
rides, giveaways and fun for the whole family. Come out and kick a
field goal, race through the obstacle challenge and test your
passing skills. |
Outback Steakhouse
Tailgate
ADMISSION $100 (Children 3 and under are free)
This annual
pregame party is a great way to kickoff the day�s football fun.
Outback Steakhouse provides all your tailgate needs while you enjoy
the music of
Arcadia.
Tailgate tickets are available for purchase in advance; admission to
the game is included with your tailgate ticket purchase. To buy
tickets, please call 516-746-0077.
PreGame
-
All spectators
signing up for the All-Star Update, the official newsletter
of the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge, are eligible to enter a
raffle to win a VIP Package for four (4) to the New York Jets
training camp, along with (2) tickets to the Jets vs. Chicago Bears
game on November 11, 2006.. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied
by an adult.
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John Amirante,
New York Rangers anthem singer, to honor America with the National
Anthem
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Flag
presentation by military color guard -
106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard
Local NFL Stars to
Be Honorary Team Captains (Subject to Change)
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Morlon
Greenwood�1996 Empire Challenge All-Star (Houston Texans)
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Melvin
Fowler�1997 Empire Challenge All-Star (Buffalo Bills)
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Darrell
Adams�2001 Empire Challenge All-Star (New York Jets)
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Halftime
Presented by NFL Youth Football
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JPD and HSPD
Recognition of 2006 Empire Challenge participants
Twelve of the 2006
New York City All-Stars participated in the NFL�s Junior Player
Development and 90 percent of the New York City roster
participated in the NFL�s High School Player Development
program. For more information on these programs and the NFL�s new
program, NFL Street Unplugged, log on to
www.nflyouthfootball.com.
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Long Island and New York City Cheerleading Teams
Long Island Panthers Senior Elite Team An all-star competitive cheerleading team consisting
of 36 talented athletes from
Long Island junior
and high schools. The team placed first at the 2006 U.C.A. Regionals,
advancing them to the national competition where the team placed first
at the American Championships in
Florida,
the All Star Challenge in Maryland and the American Cheer Power Open
in Pennsylvania. The team was also named Grand Champion at the
Maryland and Pennsylvania events. The team also placed first at
competitions in Florida, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Staten Island Spirit Cheerleading
PostGame
Presented by Canon
Bay Fireworks
presented by Canon
Immediately
following the all-star game�s award presentation, Bay Fireworks
presented by Canon will light up the sky with a spectacular fireworks
display, providing the perfect end to the day: fun, football and
fireworks.
MSG Network Coverage
The Outback
Steakhouse Empire Challenge will air tape-delayed on MSG on Tuesday,
July 10 at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. Check your
local listing for channel information.
The Boomer Esiason Foundation
The Boomer Esiason Foundation is a
dynamic partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities
joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness,
education and quality of life for those affected by Cystic Fibrosis,
while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure.
The Boomer Esiason Foundation
works to ensure that:
�
The brightest
researchers and scientists, who every day come closer to finding a
cure for Cystic Fibrosis, have the resources they need to expand and
accelerate their efforts;
�
Dedicated doctors
and caregivers have access to innovative and effective treatments that
ease the suffering and enhance the lives of the children and young
adults afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis;
�
People from all
walks of life are educated and motivated to become committed
participants in the ongoing battle against Cystic Fibrosis;
�
Those directly
affected by Cystic Fibrosis are encouraged and empowered to fully
understand this deadly disease and to take active roles in combating
it; and
�
Students and
hospital staff are provided with the financial resources and
educational tools they need to prepare for life�s challenges and to
create a legacy of quality healthcare for generations to come.
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