FOOTBALL FEVER
By: Suzanne Bledsoe
    
                          
After a rousing rendition of "Duke of Earl" by David Erdman, Biff Virkler and Pam Jefsen to commemorate the Duke win against Butler, Will Webb threatened to lock the doors and hold us captive until everyone in the room bought ten tickets to each of The Meineke Car Care Bowl and the ACC Championship Game to be held in December in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium. As Executive Director of Charlotte Collegiate Football, a not for profit organization formed to organize and run the Meineke Car Care Bowl and the ACC Championship Football game, Will was at his best as a cheerleader touting the importance of having a successful college football enterprise in Charlotte.
 
Founded in 2002, the Meineke Car Care Bowl has been a huge success with an average fan base in excess of 60,000. During its tenure in Charlotte, the Bowl has experienced 3 sellout games and has reached over 22 million households. It has been recognized as one of the five best start ups in sports over the past 5 years. The yearly economic impact in the Charlotte area alone is estimated to be in excess of $30 million.
 
In large part, because of this success, Charlotte has secured rights to host the ACC Championship game, also in December. This is a huge coup for our city-there are very few cities that can boast 2 collegiate football games of this caliber. The two top teams in the ACC will play each other, with the winner going on to represent the ACC in the Bowl Championship Series. While the exact date of the game has not been determined, the logistics surrounding the organization and execution are daunting. Will and his group are planning for a sell out game, requiring sales of 70,000+ tickets and the teams playing are not determined until about 7 days prior to the game. The stakes are huge: an economic impact to Charlotte estimated to be $30-$35 million as well as the prospect of keeping the game in Charlotte for future years.
 
So, with his sales hat on, Will gave us the inside scoop on how to secure the best tickets still available, how to use these games to benefit our businesses and other community organizations and how to best take advantage of the event. Our stadium is perfectly situated and suited to a great weekend of football and fun with great hotels and restaurants all within walking distance of the stadium. So, do your Christmas shopping early and prepare for a football inspired New Year's celebration so that you can attend both games! Tickets are affordable, starting at $25 and are still available. If you weren't motivated to buy from Will today, visit the official websites, www.accfootballcharlotte.com and www.meinekecarcarebowl.com and check out the deals--sounds like a great way to take care of your Christmas shopping without having to go to the mall!
        
Head Table: Tom Wright, Gregg Walker, Pender McElroy, Tod Thorne, Chris Thomas, Bob Brietz;
Invocation: John Cantrell;
Visitors & Guests: Roger Sarow; Song: Pam Jefsen, Biff Virkler, David Erdman; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

•  Condolences are extended to the family of Michael Allen, who passed away over this past weekend. Michael was a member of Charlotte Rotary for about 18 years, and his son, Clark Allen, was also a member. Funeral services were held in Shallotte, NC and there will be a memorial service Saturday, April 10th, 11:00 am, at Sharon United Methodist Church, 4411 Sharon Road. Memorials can be made to the church.
    
• Roster update: Gregg Walker, greggwalker@carolina.rr.com; John Johnson is moving forward through the chemo treatments with a positive attitude and spirit; Burgl and Ronnie Pruett are traveling in Germany in April and Italy in May. They have reserved seats at La Scala in Milan on May 4 to attend Placido Domingo's performance in Verdi's opera "Simon Boccanegra"; Pender McElroy pointed out that April 6 was National Tartan Day, an event celebrated by over 11 million Americans of Scottish descent.
       
• NOTE: The hotel has a booking on April 20th and the Rotary meeting will be moved across the street to the Blake Hotel.
     
• The next Flight of Honor is scheduled for April 10th. For those not familiar, FOH is a District-wide project to fly WW II Veterans to Washington on a day-trip to visit their memorial. Charlotte Rotary was a generous supporter of two previous flights. Anyone wishing to make a personal donation to this project can make their check payable to Rotary Flight of Honor and send to the Rotary office.
  
• ROTARY DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2010 will be held in Wilmington April 23-25. All Rotarians and their families are invited to attend. Reservations can be booked at the Hilton Riverside, 910-763-5900. Prior to March 22, the rate will be $169 per night. Conference registration rates for Rotarians: $175 (by 2/23), $195 (by 3/22) or $225 (by 4/16). Guest registration: $155 (by 2/23), $175 (by 3/22), $195 (by 4/16). The registration covers 4 meals: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast & dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Registration can be handled on the District database (www.dacdb.com) 

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 4/12/2010.

Attendees to the District Conference in Wilmington are asked to participate in a project to help supply reading material for schools and libraries. To support the District's effort, Charlotte Rotary Club will be collecting new or gently used book for all ages - children's books, educational books, fiction, non-fiction, picture books, travel books, etc. Books may be dropped off at a club meeting over the next few weeks.