Spirit of Independence Award

Shreveport, La. - PetroSun Independence Bowl officials are pleased to announce "Team Hoyt" as the 2008 recipient of the Omar N. Bradley "Spirit of Independence Award." Since its inception in 1978, this honor has been bestowed upon outstanding American citizens, or organizations which symbolize the spirit of freedom and independence on which our country was founded.

"Team Hoyt" is a father-son combination of Dick and Rick Hoyt from Massachusetts that travels the world to compete in marathons and triathlons including the "Ironman"- that daunting, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America.

Rick, with the help of his dad, has competed in the Boston Marathon 26 times, and in Ironman Triathlons six times. The Hoyts have competed in over 965 athletic events in the last 28 years.

The goal of "Team Hoyt" is to integrate the physically challenged into everyday life. One way to accomplish this is to educate the able-bodied, making them more aware of the issues that the disabled face every day. Another is by actively helping the disabled to participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Team Hoyt targets both of these areas.

"Rick and I are honored to be receiving the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Indepenence Award for 2008," said Dick Hoyt. "We are humbled to be included among the past recipients of this award, including Ronald Reagan, Art Linkletter, Danny Thomas, and all of the other deserving individuals and groups."

"We look forward to being in Shreveport at the end of December to meet everyone involved with the Independence Bowl and the Spirit of Independence Committee," said Hoyt.

For the past 28 years Dick, who is 68 and a retired lieutenant colonel in the military for over 37 years, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in a seat-pod attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilized boat being pulled by Dick.

"Our Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award is filled with inspirational recipients throughout the years," said PetroSun Independence Bowl chairman Keith Bergeron. "The selection of 'Team Hoyt' to join this wonderful group of individuals and organizations will only add to the prestige of the past and future recipients. Our community is in for a treat as they get to know Dick and Rick, and we look forward to honoring them at our 2008 game."

At Rick's birth in 1962 the umbilical cord coiled around his neck and cut off oxygen to his brain. Dick and his wife at the time, Judy, were told that there would be no hope for their child's development. At age 46 Rick is a graduate of Boston University with a degree in Special Education.

"It's been a story of exclusion ever since he was born. When he was eight months old the doctors told us we should just put him away - he'd be a vegetable all his life, that sort of thing. Well those doctors are not alive any more, but I would like them to be able to see Rick now."

"What I mean when I say I feel like I am not handicapped when competing is that I am just like the other athletes, and I think most of the athletes feel the same way," said Rick Hoyt. "In the beginning nobody would come up to me. However, after a few races some athletes came around and they began to talk to me. During the early days one runner, Pete Wisnewski had a bet with me at every race on who would beat who. The loser had to hang the winner's number in his bedroom until the next race. Now many athletes will come up to me before the race or triathlon to wish me luck."

The Hoyts have appeared on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," where their segment recently won a Sports Emmy Award for Best Long feature. Team Hoyt also travels the world speaking out about people with disabilities and promoting the Team Hoyt motto, "Yes You Can."

The 2008 PetroSun Independence Bowl will be played on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. from Independence Stadium and will be nationally televised on ESPN. Team Hoyt will be presented with the "Spirit of Independence Award" at halftime.

For more information on Team Hoyt visit their official website at www.teamhoyt.com.

*Special thanks to Kathy Boyer, Team Hoyt Manager, and TeamHoyt.com for providing information used for this release.

PETROSUN INDEPENDENCE BOWL TICKET UPDATE

The deadline for ticket renewals was May 15. Ticket holders received information regarding the "Family FUN PACK," one of the bowl's ticket initiatives that is back for the second-straight year with the renewals. The "Family FUN PACK" includes four south end zone tickets for a family or group of four plus four shuttle passes and several great discounts at area businesses such as Kiddie Mia's, Art Space, Gators and Friends, The State Fair of Louisiana, Counter Culture (Shed Road Location) Johnny's Catfish and Seafood, and Shreveport Sports baseball games.

The "Family FUN PACK" costs only $125 and will be available for purchase between April 1 and Oct. 1. Groups of 10 or more can purchase the "Touchdown Club", which includes 10 south end zone seats plus 10 shuttle tickets for $325. More exciting ticket packages will be available throughout the year.

Information on becoming a member of the Independence Bowl Foundation or a corporate sponsor of the bowl is also available at the Bowl Office located on the ground floor of the American Tower in downtown Shreveport at 401 Market Street, Suite 120. Those interested may also contact the Bowl Office at 318.221.0712 or toll free at 888.414.BOWL (2695) or by visiting the bowl's official website at www.independencebowl.org.