INFINITI is proud to announce it has donated $1,160,680 to charitable organizations as part of the brand’s ongoing corporate partnership with the NCAA and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). This week, Phil O’Connor, director of Marketing Communications and Media at INFINITI Americas, presented the checks to the winning philanthropies at INFINITI’s North American headquarters.
INFINITI also donated an additional $349,000 to multiple charities individually selected by participating NCAA Division I men’s basketball coaches through the INFINITI Coaches’ Charity Challenge, in which fans voted for their favorite coaches on social media and online. Head coach Dave Rose of Brigham Young University won the challenge, and $100,000 was donated to Simmons Center for Cancer Research at BYU.
“We’re proud to partner with INFINITI, the NABC and our NCAA coaches on the INFINITI Coaches’ Charity Challenge, which provides funding to organizations who in turn help individuals in need,” said Ellen Lucey, director of NCAA championships and alliances, corporate relations, marketing and branding. “The charity challenge is a great example of how the NABC and INFINITI support coaches around our NCAA men’s basketball tournament. It’s great when we can use sports as a platform to provide assistance to deserving organizations and communities.”
Additionally, INFINITI donated $700,000 through the CBS Round-by-Round Bracket Challenge. During March Madness, fans were encouraged to create their brackets using the Round-by-Round Bracket, the only bracket that donated money per correct pick to Coaches vs. Cancer. More than 14 million fans participated, with 9 million correct picks. By participating, fans also entered to win tickets to the 2019 Final Four game.
“For the eighth year in a row, INFINITI is proud to support the NABC, NCAA and Coaches vs. Cancer, by bringing fans, coaches and players together in the fight against cancer,” O’Connor said. “We’re honored to be a part of the ‘madness’ every March and take the opportunity to donate to a very important cause.”
INFINITI also hosted its third annual Hardwood Heroes Game. Consisting of two teams of cancer survivors, each coached by legendary NCAA coaches, the game kicked off the Final Four weekend at the Alamodome to raise awareness for cancer research. The team coached by Jim Calhoun, along with Assistant Coach Shelley Smith, scored three more points than the team coached by Bo Ryan, with Assistant Coach Kayce Smith, but all were winners at this inspirational game.
Outside the Alamodome, INFINITI presented the Charity Stripe Challenge at Tailgate Plaza, an on-site fundraiser throughout the Final Four weekend. INFINITI donated $74,180 towards Coaches vs. Cancer through a free throw contest with fans.
Since its partnership with the NCAA began in 2009, INFINITI has donated more than $8 million to a variety of charitable organizations.
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with representations in 50 markets around the world. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing. INFINITI is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies. From the 2016 season, INFINITI is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.
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