State Farm® Friday Night Feats Program Gets Schools from the Gridiron To a Better State

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Each week high school football teams across the country are making bold plays – their own Friday night feats. Today, State Farm® Insurance Companies kicks off Friday Night Feats, a national high school football video contest that aims to get schools and communities to a better state.  Beginning August 25, the biggest moments of the season as captured by players, parents and fans can win up to $17,500 for their high school.  

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Eligible fans, coaches, players and community members can submit videos to the State Farm Friday Night Feats contest page, www.FridayNightFeats.com, from Aug. 25 until Nov. 28 to be considered as the best Friday night feat of the 2011 high school football season. Through Friday Night Feats, State Farm recognizes the hard work and effort of high school students to get their community and their school to a better state.

"The Friday Night Feats program is an example of State Farm's core values actively helping communities – as we do with all 40 million of our customers – get to a better state," said Victor Terry, Vice President – Agency for State Farm.  "In 2010, we saw hundreds of great plays and strong community support that led to financial support for more than 50 schools. This year, we're excited to see more outstanding gridiron feats and award more schools much needed funds."  

Videos will be submitted and voted on by the public during two time periods or "halves." The first half is Aug. 25 through Oct. 6 and the second is Oct. 10 through Nov. 28. Viewers will determine 26 finalist nominees from each half by voting on the Friday Night Feats page. The 52 finalist nominees will each receive a prize of $2,500 for their respective school.

In 2010, State Farm gave away more than $160,000 to 52 schools, including first place winner Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School from Cornwall, Ontario. The school and community decided to use the award money towards new uniforms and equipment for the football team. The winning schools can use their prize money however they see fit – whether on the field or in the classroom.

A panel of qualified judges will narrow the field down to the top 10 videos based on the "wow" factor, athleticism, impact of the play, and creativity of the video. The panel includes national high school football recruiting experts and a Kid Reporter for SIKids.com.  Viewers have the final word, choosing the first and second place and third place winners by voting for their favorite Dec. 9 until Dec. 16.  The winners will be announced on Dec. 19. Cash prizes for the top videos are $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place.

To upload videos and for more information and contest rules, visit the State Farm Friday Night Feats contest at www.FridayNightFeats.com and follow us on Twitter all season long at #StateFarmFNF. Fans can also capture and post their moments through the Friday Night Feats Facebook or iPhone applications.

About State Farm

State Farm® insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 77 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 32 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.

SOURCE State Farm