Catchfence

Head Coach Will Be Making First Visit to The Glen

Watkins Glen, NY (June 24, 2008) – Over the course of his coaching career Turner Gill has issued numerous commands on the football field but prior to the Camping World Grand Prix on at The Glen on Sunday, July 5th he will give a specific one for the first time – “Drivers…start your engines!” Gill’s first visit to legendary Watkins Glen International will be as the Grand Marshal for the 4th of July holiday event. The green flag will drop on the 5th Annual Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen at 1:30 PM live on ABC.

“I am honored to be chosen as the Grand Marshall at one of the nation’s historic race tracks for the Camping World Grand Prix at Watkins Glen,” said Coach Gill. “It will be an opportunity for me to see what Indy Car racing is all about up close, and to touch base with fans of both racing and UB football.”

Gill’s first visit to The Glen will not only be the opportunity of a lifetime for him but also give race fans a chance to help support the Buffalo/Niagara YMCA. Coach Gill and WGI have come together to offer a very special ticket offer to fans. This special offer includes a general admission ticket for Sunday, July 5th, a meet & greet with Coach Gill, and EXCLUSIVE pre-race pit access – all for only $39! For each ticket purchased as part of this offer, $6.25 of the purchase price will be donated back to the Buffalo/Niagara YMCA. To take advantage of this ticket offer fans should call (607)535-2486 ext. 351 and ask to speak with Mike Evranian. This offer expires on July 1, 2009 so act soon!

Tickets for the entire 2009 season at Watkins Glen International are on sale now! Celebrate the Fourth of July with the 5th Annual Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen weekend, July 3-5. On-track action will be headlined by the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, F2000 Championship Series and the SCCA SPEED World Challenge. Weekend tickets begin at just $55, and general admission for kids 12 and under is FREE when accompanied by an adult. For tickets and information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen International website at www.TheGlen.com. Tickets, gift certificates and track merchandise can be all purchased at The Shop located at 2 North Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen-Open Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-4, Closed Sunday; 607-535-2338.

Turner Gill Bio:

In just three seasons, head coach Turner Gill has lifted the Buffalo football program from a one-win program to the Mid-American Conference Championship. Under Gill’s leadership, the Bulls had an 8-6 record in 2008. The eight wins were the most in the Bulls’ Division I-A era and one shy of the school record for wins in a season. Gills’ UB teams have now won 13 games over the past two seasons – one more than the first eight seasons as a Division I-A program. Gill was named the 23rd head football at UB on December 16, 2005.

Gill has reached the pinnacle of college football as both a player and a coach, he was part of three national championships as a coach at the University of Nebraska and a Heisman Trophy finalist as a player. During his tenure at Nebraska, Gill served as an assistant coach for College Football Hall of Famer Tom Osborne, current Ohio University head coach Frank Solich and Bill Callahan. He tutored the Huskers’ quarterbacks from 1992-2002, was named assistant head football coach in 2003, and served as wide receivers coach in 2004.

Gill’s outstanding coaching career mirrors a memorable playing career that culminated with him being named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 1983 (finishing fourth behind teammate Mike Rozier) and earning a berth on the All-Decade Big Eight team (1980-89) as the starting quarterback.

Gill, a native of Fort Worth, TX, was the starting quarterback at Nebraska from 1981-83 and led the team to a No. 2 and No. 3 national ranking. Overall, Nebraska teams had a 28-2 overall record with Gill as the starting quarterback and a 20-0 record in Big Eight conference play. He is the 12th winningest QB in NCAA Div. I history.

– Watkins Glen International, Press Release