Philadelphia jazz station, Arena football team jointly fund "Peace Through Music" diversity program
Published on January 23, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (Wednesday, Jan. 23) - Smooth Jazz WJJZ 97.5 FM will broadcast from "The Philadelphia Soul Studio," beginning Wednesday as part of a multi-faceted alliance that includes youth scholarships and other community service elements, the two companies announced today.
The naming rights deal is a first for Philadelphia sports teams and may be unprecedented nationally for a sports franchise.
In a press conference at the National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia Soul President Ron Jaworski and WJJZ Station Manager Jim Brown unveiled the naming rights arrangement and a program called "Peace Through Music," which will promote diversity through education about racial harmony and unity to Philadelphia youth.
This unique initiative will include Soul defensive back Mike Brown and WJJZ Program Director and on-air personality Mike Tozzi joining forces as "Mike & Mike" to spearhead the program, which will have four components:
Two $1,000 scholarships for middle school students to be awarded based on the content and poignancy of essays and participation in the program;
Speaking appearances by Mike and Mike at area schools;
Attendance by groups of students at Soul home games;
An on-air awareness campaign and online resource center to promote all of the program's themes.
The "Peace Through Music" program will be celebrated on March 29th during a WJJZ Diversity Educational Jamboree at the Philadelphia Soul home game.
"We are very excited to launch this important initiative," said Tozzi. "It's the perfect way for WJJZ to support this great region we know as he Delaware Valley."
"We plan to have an impact," offered Brown, one of the Soul's team leaders. "I can't wait to read the essays that these kids write. It will be educational for all of us."
Throughout the year, WJJZ and the Philadelphia Soul will also team up with the National Liberty Museum to focus on other diversity-related events in the Philadelphia area. The National Liberty Museum is dedicated to defusing violence and bigotry in all forms and is a resource for more than 3,000 students every month.
Greater Media, Inc. is the parent company of 20 AM and FM radio stations in the Boston, Detroit, New Jersey and Philadelphia markets. It also owns a modern printing plant and a group of weekly newspapers in central New Jersey as well as several telecommunications towers located throughout the United States.
The Soul, YOUR Team...YOUnited, kicks off the 2008 season at home against the Orlando Predators at 7 p.m. (et) on Saturday, March 1. The Soul are celebrating their fifth anniversary this season. The team has drawn an AFL-best 514,226 fans combined during the past four years. Following last season, the Soul were recognized with the Commissioner's Award as the Organization of the Year and were an honorable mention for the PRISM Award in the category of fan appreciation. Season tickets for the Soul's 2008 season are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $90 for a nine-game plan including a postseason home game. For more information call (888) PHIL-AFL or log on to www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 23, 2008
- Philadelphia jazz station, Arena football team jointly fund "Peace Through Music" diversity program - Philadelphia Soul
- Rattlers Set To Move Football Operations To Mesa - Arizona Rattlers
- Meet Blake Lehr And The Predators Dance Team - Orlando Predators
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