UNE JONES, GREG MCMACKIN, AND NFL PLAYERS OF SAMOAN DESCENT LEAD DELEGATION TO PAGO PAGO FOR AMERICAN SAMOA FOOTBALL ACADEMY June Jones Foundation to Award Five College Scholarships Honolulu, HI (June 26, 2008) -- The June Jones Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity based in Honolulu, HI, today announced the details of the Inaugural June Jones American Samoa Football Academy, which will be held at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Pago Pago, American Samoa, June 27-28, 2008. The Academy is a free two-day clinic for all American Samoa high school junior varsity and varsity football players and their coaches. It will involve approximately 550 athletes and 100 coaches and will award five $2,000 college scholarships that can be used at any U.S. college. The recipients will be chosen based on recommendations and criteria established by the American Samoan Department of Education. Southern Methodist University Head Football Coach June Jones will be joined at the Academy by University of Hawai’i Head Football Coach Greg McMackin, current and former NFL players of Samoan descent Jesse Sapolu, Ma’a Tanuvasa, Mel Purcell, Reagan Mauia, Paul Soliai and Leo Goeas, as well as several members of both the University of Hawai’i and Southern Methodist University football coaching staffs. “The idea for this Football Academy was conceived more than a year ago and I am very pleased to see it come to fruition here this week, through the June Jones Foundation,” said Coach June Jones. “I hold a special affection for the Polynesian culture and I know that this terrific group of coaches and players will make a real difference in helping to develop the game of football in American Samoa. This special place emphasizes so many of the same character traits and values that make for an outstanding football player – hard work, diligence, loyalty and family,” said Coach Jones. “I am extremely grateful for the participation of so many terrific coaches and players and equally excited about the chance to open doors to higher education for deserving American Samoan students who otherwise might not have the opportunity.” “We are deeply honored for this special blessing through the game of football," said Togiola Tulafono, Governor of American Samoa. "I am proud to join our young people in American Samoa to partner up with the June Jones Foundation Football Academy for this special opportunity to gain experience from a great man who has devoted many years in developing our special blend of island football. This is a blessing for our young people who receive this special coaching experience in their efforts to learn the game and enhance their skills, with the personal prayer and ultimate goal of reaping the bountiful benefits that is available to them only through hard work. Hard work on the field and in the classroom can pay off in getting our youngsters a college education through sports. Football is a team effort as well as a family effort. It involves hard work on the field by our youngsters and the ongoing vigil at home by their loved ones. They go hand in hand. This is what Coach Jones brings to our island home through this great opportunity for our young people, our families and our government," said Governor Tulafono. "We extend a big fa’afetai tele to Coach June Jones and the June Jones Foundation for the Football Academy in our islands.” SMU Coach Jeff Reinebold's wife, Ellie Taft, a health care professional, joins the group with a Medical Missionary sponsored by the June Jones Foundation. The event marks the first ever coupling of sport, education and healthcare for the people of American Samoa. The Medical Mission will bring to the islands certified nurses and doctors with a total of more than 90 years experience in emergency medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics and more than 40 years of expert training. The Medical Mission team also will deliver significant medical supplies generously donated by Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children (KMCWC) for the LBJ Tropical Medical Center in American Samoa. In addition, the Medical Mission will bring toys, games and medical teaching tools for the Pediatric Wing of LBJ, donated by the Child Life Department of KMCWC. Mel Purcell, Sr., has generously volunteered his time as local director for the Academy. “This program is an awesome thing for American Samoa,” said Purcell. “Our island’s culture and players are most fortunate to receive instruction from coaches and June Jones and Greg McMackin, the UH and SMU coaching staffs and so many NFL stars. In addition, it always is a special occasion any time American Samoa can welcome home several of its favorite sons,” Purcell added. “We are very excited for the whole group to touch ground and begin the clinics.” The Inaugural American Samoa Football Academy follows immediately on the heels of a highly successful 4th Annual June Jones Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic, on June 22-23. The Golf Classic was held at Hokuli’a on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Proceeds from the event benefited the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawai’i and H.U.G.S., each of which received a $10,000 grant from the June Jones Foundation at the conclusion of the event. About The June Jones Foundation The June Jones Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for needy families of children with life-threatening illnesses as well as other charitable causes. The emotional, physical, and spiritual impact a seriously ill child has on a family cannot be measured. The June Jones Foundation is dedicated to lifting their spirits by providing grants, programming and support. It has awarded nearly $400,000 in grants and educational programs since being established in 2004. Contact: Kevin S. Kaplan Executive Director (888) 599-4483 KKaplan1@aol.com