FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Texas Ford Dealers announce expanded sponsorship of UIL State Championships and 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week and Year Award

AUSTIN, TX – Ford Motor Company and your Texas Ford Dealers, is excited to announce an expanded sponsorship of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Championships, solidifying Ford as the Official Automotive Sponsor of the UIL. As part of the new commitment, Ford will now support all UIL extracurricular events, including athletic, academic and music state championship competitions.

In addition to the sponsorship, Ford is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the prestigious Built Ford Tough Player of the Week and Year Award. This campaign has become one of the most celebrated in Texas high school sports, recognizing standout student-athletes for their on-field performance, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Ford will honor some of the most decorated players who have received the award over the years, with a special focus on their achievements both in high school and beyond.

Notable past winners of the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week and Year Award include:

• Kyler Murray – Former Allen High School quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Oklahoma, currently with the Arizona Cardinals.
• Jalen Hurts – Former Channelview High School quarterback and standout at the University of Oklahoma, now playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Patrick Mahomes – Former Whitehouse High School quarterback, who went on to win 3 Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs and is considered one of the NFL’s brightest stars.

To mark the 20th anniversary, Ford is partnering with Texas' most iconic media brand, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, to amplify the celebration. Through this partnership, Ford and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football will highlight these remarkable athletes and bring their stories to fans across the state through a dynamic media campaign on TexasFootball.com and Dave Campbell’s robust media channels, as well as through postseason broadcasts on the NFHS Network, covering over 2,000 live events statewide. The campaign will culminate during the UIL Football State Championships broadcast, where fans will get to celebrate the award’s legacy and its impact on Texas high school football.

“Ford and our Texas Ford Dealers are proud to support the UIL and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. We look forward to working together to highlight all the great student athletes across the great state of Texas,” said Chris Rushwin Ford Motor Company Regional Manager.

“The UIL is grateful to Ford for their continued support of Texas high schools and their commitment to our communities,” UIL Executive Director Dr. Jamey Harrison said, “We are excited about working with them in the future to recognize student athletes all over the state.”

To learn more about the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week and Year Award, visit www.fordplayeroftheweek.com.

About the University Interscholastic League (UIL)

The University Interscholastic League exists to provide equitable and educational extracurricular contests for its more than 1,400 member schools across the State of Texas. Created in 1910 by The University of Texas at Austin, the UIL has grown into the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world with more than one million student participants in academic, athletic and music competitions. For more information, please visit uiltexas.org.

About Ford Motor Company and your Texas Ford Dealers

The Texas Ford Dealers are comprised of 250 + Ford Franchised Dealers. Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  

About Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

For over 65 years, Dave Campbell’s has been the most trusted name in Texas high school sports. Home to the iconic Texas Football magazine and digital platforms TexasFootball.com and TexanLive.com, we deliver year-round coverage of UIL sports - including 2,000+ live-streamed events, breaking news, exclusive rankings, and daily shows and podcasts. We proudly power the stories of Texas teams, athletes and communities – because Dave Campbell’s is Where Legends Begin.