"Mr. October," Reggie Jackson selected as Honorary Chairman; Two San Diego
players named to West squad
COLUMBUS, Ga., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac announced today in a press
conference at Petco Park, home of the major league Padres, that San Diego will
be the site for the fourth annual Aflac All-American Baseball Classic, a
showcase of the nation's best high school athletes. This year, Baseball Hall
of Famer Reggie Jackson, a 14-time all-star and two-time World Series Most
Valuable Player will serve as the game's honorary chairman. The 2006 baseball
classic will be played at San Diego State's Tony Gwynn Stadium on Saturday,
Aug. 12, airing live on FSN at 3 p.m. (Eastern).
As part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood
cancer, all game proceeds from the 2006 Aflac All-American High School
Baseball Classic will benefit San Diego's Children's Hospital and Health
Center.
"The Aflac All-American Classic has become cemented in the fabric of
baseball culture across all levels of the game, and I'm proud to be associated
with such an elite event," Jackson said. "The Aflac All-American brand stands
for more than just excellence in youth baseball; it also represents an
important bridge to the community through Aflac's dedication and commitment to
pediatric cancer research and treatment. Together, Aflac and its event
partners teach these outstanding young athletes how to be role models both on
and off the field."
The game, an East versus West match-up between the country's top rising
high school seniors, will include San Diego area standouts SS Nick Noonan from
Francis Parker High School and OF Sequoyah Stonecipher from Mission Bay High
School. Today's announcement is also the first stop of the 2006 Aflac National
Selection Tour. The selection tour is a multi-city tour that travels to the
hometowns of the Aflac All-Americans to announce their official selection to
the team. Aflac will donate funds from the tour stops to Coaches Curing Kids'
Cancer, an organization dedicated to cure of pediatric cancer.
"Nick Noonan has a chance of becoming a high draft pick next year," said
Jerry Ford, Perfect Game USA president. "Sequoyah Stonecipher is an advanced
outfielder with good all around skills."
Baseball America and Perfect Game are the official selection partners for
the event and choose the players for their accomplishments both on and off the
field, including involvement in the community.
"We are thrilled to have these two talented high school players as a part
of the 2006 All-American West team," said Al Johnson, Aflac's second vice
president, Advertising and Branding. "We are also honored to have Reggie
Jackson serve as our honorary chairman. Through their participation, this
event will continue to be a wonderful way to showcase America's top high
school baseball talent while helping us in our efforts to support the fight
against pediatric cancer."
Sports America, Inc., is a sports marketing and event management firm
based in Rockville, Md., which created and currently produces the Aflac
Classic. Sports America also produces the McDonald's All-American High School
Basketball Game.
For more than 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the
opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting
medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider of
guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United Statesand the number one
insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan.
Aflac's insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people
worldwide. Aflac has been included in Fortune magazine's listing of America's
Most Admired Companies for six consecutive years and Forbes magazine's
Platinum 400 List of America's Best Big Companies for five consecutive years.
In January 2006, Aflac was included in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best
Companies to Work For in Americafor the eighth consecutive year. Aflac was
also included in Fortune magazine's list of the Top 50 Employers for
Minorities in August 2005, and in September 2005, Aflac Japanwas named the
Life Insurance Company of the Year at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards,
sponsored by the Asia Insurance Review. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500
company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find
out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.
SOURCE Aflac Incorporated
CONTACT: Tim Turner, +1-706-243-5594, or trturner@aflac.com, or Mechell
Clark, +1-706-243-8004, or meclark@aflac.com, of Aflac Incorporated