TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Office of University Relations has been awarded the highest honor given by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s District III for its “2004 USA Today Academic All-Americans” television spot.

The television spot, which has aired during national sports broadcasts during the last year, features UA students named to USA Today’s annual All-USA College Academic Team for 2004. The spot noted that UA’s total of four team members in 2004 came in second only to Harvard which had five students named to the team. UA’s 2003/2004 two-year total of nine team members, the most of any school, led Harvard’s eight. The spot teasingly challenged Harvard to a rematch.

The spot received a Grand Award in the television advertisement and public service announcements category in the CASE District III Advancement Awards Program. The Grand Award is the top award given in the CASE awards program, and it is given only in those years when an entry is deemed worthy of an award higher than the gold, silver and bronze levels.

“We have won many CASE awards over the last 20 years, but we are particularly pleased when our work is judged to meet the very high standards of the Grand Award,” said Janet Griffith, assistant vice president for university relations at UA. “These awards are especially meaningful because they are given by our peers at colleges and universities across the Southeast.”

Tom Stipe, UA’s director of broadcast marketing and media, produced the television spot. Bill McDaniel and Chandra Clark of the broadcast marketing and media division were also recognized.