Burger King Corporation Honors Jeff Popovich
Sept. 15, 1999
MIAMI, Fla. – September 14, 1999 — Burger King Corporation has named Jeff Popovich of the University of Miami, a Division I-A College Football Scholar Athlete. In honor of his outstanding athletic and academic achievements and his commitment to mentoring the community’s youth, Burger King Corporation has donated $10,000 to the University of Miami’s general scholarship fund in his name. The award will be presented by Burger King Franchisee, Robe St. Juste and University of Miami Athletic Director, Paul Dee, during the UM v Penn State home football game this Saturday.
Developed to foster the pursuit of athletic and academic excellence while encouraging social awareness and community service, the Burger King College Football Scholarship Program is the single largest corporate commitment of its kind to the sport of college football. The awarding of these scholarships is based on academic achievement, dedication to community service and athletic ability. Now in its fifth year, the program has already donated a total of $4.3 million dollars in college scholarship funds to 211 colleges and universities nationwide. The 1999 program will raise the overall Burger King contribution to $5.3 million.
“These athletes serve as outstanding role models of achievement in the classroom, on the football field and in their communities,” says Richard Taylor, vice president, Marketing Services, Burger King Corporation. “We are proud to honor these young people who have truly applied themselves in University of Miami and still found the time to remain actively involved with helping others.”
Jeffrey D. Popovich is a senior who has maintained a 3.437 GPA as a Biomedical Engineering Major, while starting as a strong safety for the University of Miami football team. In addition to his academic and athletic endeavors, Popovich also volunteers with elementary school children and the Easter Seal Society.
Each week throughout the 10-week program, Burger King Corporation will name eight scholar athlete award winners, two from each division. In recognition of each Scholar Athlete’s achievements, Burger King Corporation will then donate $10,000 in the athlete’s name to his University of Miami’s general scholarship fund. Four of these winners, one from each college football division, will be selected as finalists for the 1999 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year Award and garner an additional $25,000 for his University of Miami.
The Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year award honors the nation’s top scholar athlete in college football. In recognition of the Scholar Athlete of the Year, Burger King Corporation will set up a $100,000 scholarship endowment at the University of Miami of the honored winner.
The winner of the 1999 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year Award will be announced in December. Last year’s recipient was Josh Penry from Mesa State College who since graduating has become press secretary for Arizona’s House Representative Scott McGinnis. Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee garnered the distinction of becoming the first Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1997 and is now playing in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts.
Burger King Corporation and its franchisees operate more than 10,500 restaurants in all 50 states and in 54 countries and international territories around the world. Since the company’s founding in Miami in 1954, the BURGER KING? brand has become recognized for great flame-broiled taste and HAVE IT YOUR WAY? food customization. In fiscal year 1998, the BURGER KING? system had system-wide sales of $10.3 billion. Burger King Corporation is a part of Diageo (NYSE:DEO), the international food and drinks company.
In addition to BURGER KING, other brands include Pillsbury, Haagen Dazs, Johnnie Walker and J&B Scotch whiskies, Smirnoff vodka, Gordon’s gin, Baileys cream liqueur and Guinness stout. The group operates in over 200 markets worldwide, and employs around 77,000 people. Systemwide, Burger King restaurants employ more than 300,000 people. To learn more about the BURGER KING? system, please visit the company’s website at www.burgerking.com.
