Bank of America today announced it has reached an agreement with U.S. Soccer stars Abby Wambach, Hope Solo and Alex Morgan to serve as spokespeople for a unique charitable program that will play an integral role in the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The program, to be introduced this summer and culminate on race day, October 9, will make opportunity possible for nonprofit organizations in Chicago and across the United States, helping advance their efforts to improving lives and revitalizing communities. The agreement is the first involving all three players, who became household names as a result of their outstanding performances on the world soccer stage over the last month.
“The opportunity to partner with Bank of America and the Chicago Marathon is a thrill for us,” said U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo. “There’s going to be such a tremendous spirit of camaraderie – from the public and private organizations working together to stage the event to all the athletes and their supporters pursuing a personal best or advancing a community cause. It’s going to be a great weekend.”
Just as the U.S. women’s soccer team inspired a nation with its dramatic comebacks and outstanding teamwork, Bank of America will work with three of its star players to inspire, through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, people in Chicago and throughout the country to work together in order to create a positive impact in their communities.
“The Bank of America Chicago Marathon touches many people who never lace up a running shoe because of the funds participants raise for charities each year, as well as the economic benefit the race brings to the city of Chicago,” said Bank of America Global Strategy and Marketing Officer Anne Finucane. “It takes a tremendous amount of partnership to make all of that happen, and right now, nobody better represents the spirit of teamwork than Abby, Hope and Alex. That’s why we are so excited to have the opportunity to be working with them.”
Wambach, Solo and Morgan will announce details of the bank’s program this summer and explain how people can participate. Runners, fans and bank customers can keep track of updates by “liking” the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Facebook page (www.facebook.com/chicagomarathon) or on the Marathon’s website, www.chicagomarathon.com.
“This is a program that’s all about the benefits of teamwork, and how people can make opportunity possible in their communities when they pull together,” said Wambach. “That’s why it’s great that all three of us are involved. We’ve proven what can be done when people come together with a sense of purpose and determination, and speaking on behalf of Hope and Alex, we’re looking forward to highlighting that sense of teamwork and opportunity at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.”
Wambach, a forward, is one of the all-time leading scorers in international soccer history and is considered one of the team’s emotional leaders. Solo is only the second U.S. goalkeeper to start more than 100 games in international competition, and was awarded the “Golden Glove” as the top goalkeeper in Germany. Morgan, also a forward, is the youngest player on the team at age 22 and made a name for herself in Germany with a goal and an assist in the finals against Japan.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 34th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a world-class elite runner and wheelchair field, and an estimated 1.7 million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, each year, the iconic race assists in raising millions for a variety of charitable causes and generated $150 million in economic impact to its host city according to a 2010 report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.). The 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago’s Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on October 9. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center October 7-8. www.chicagomarathon.com
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 58 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,700 retail banking offices and approximately 17,800 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Contacts:
Joe Goode, Bank of America, 1.617.434.7314
joseph.l.goode@bankofamerica.com
