PLANO, Texas (Sept. 9, 2011) – Collegiate multimedia rights holder Learfield Sports recently formed a partnership with Special Spectators, a non-profit organization that creates magical days for seriously ill children and their families at sporting events across the U.S.

Learfield Sports’ collegiate portfolio of more than 50 schools, conferences and associations has opened up additional possibilities for Special Spectators’ Founder and Executive Director Blake Rockwell to create these one-of-a-kind experiences for children and their families who undergo daily, critical medical treatment.

“I am overwhelmed at the outpouring support of Learfield Sports’ personnel and partner schools as we’ve been collaborating on putting together memorable experiences for these boys and girls this fall,” said Rockwell. “So many of these young children seeking major medical care also love sports, so to me, it’s an automatic win to allow them and their families just one day where they can focus on having fun at a nearby collegiate stadium, meeting the coach and student-athletes they respect and look up to.”

For the 2011-’12 collegiate football season, Learfield Sports has collaborated with Special Spectators and many of its partner schools in crafting spirited, game-day experiences at North Carolina, Penn State, Wisconsin, Colorado, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Purdue and Oklahoma State from September through November. Additional schools are anticipated to be added as the season progresses.

Northwestern University, a Learfield Sports’ partner school, kicks off Special Spectators’ season of collegiate football experiences on Saturday, Sept. 10. The school will play host to 50 boys and girls for the Wildcats’ home opener against Eastern Illinois, marking a nine-year affiliation between Northwestern and the organization. Rockwell is from the Chicago area and launched Special Spectators in 2002 having volunteered at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.  

For their experience at Northwestern, the boys and girls from Children’s, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago will arrive at Ryan Field at noon, visit with Dave Eanet inside the WGN Radio booth and enjoy a tailgate party featuring the Northwestern cheerleaders, Willie the Wildcat and numerous student-athletes. Additionally, Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald will have an opportunity to visit exclusively with the boys and girls and their families in a special, post-game session.

Since its inception, Special Spectators has hosted approximately 6,000 seriously ill children, parents and siblings at about 180 games. Through collegiate partners, its mission is to provide tickets to games and design robust days filled with special surprises and experiences in and...