Oct. 1, 1999

AMHERST, Mass. — Burger King Corporation has named senior offensive guard Mike Wynne (Somerdale, N.J.) of the University of Massachusetts, a Division I-AA College Football Scholar Athlete. In honor of his outstanding athletic and academic achievements and his commitment to mentoring the community's youth, Burger King Corporation has donated $10,000 to the University of Massachusetts general scholarship fund in his name. The award will be presented by a Burger King Franchisee and School Officials during this Saturday’s football game between UMass and Hofstra.

Developed to foster the pursuit of athletic and academic excellence while encouraging social awareness and community service, the Burger King College Football Scholarship Program is the single largest corporate commitment of its kind to the sport of college football. The awarding of these scholarships is based on academic achievement, dedication to community service and athletic ability. Now in its fifth year, the program has already donated a total of $4.3 million in college scholarship funds to 211 colleges and universities nationwide. The 1999 program will raise the overall Burger King contribution to $5.3 million.

“These athletes serve as outstanding role models of achievement in the classroom, on the football field and in their communities,” says Richard Taylor, vice president, Marketing Services, Burger King Corporation. “We are proud to honor these young people who have truly applied themselves in school and still found the time to remain actively involved with helping others.”

Wynne, is a senior who has maintained a 3.93 GPA as an Accounting major, while starting on the offensive line for the UMass Minuteman football team. In addition to his academic and athletic endeavors, Wynne has also contributed to his community as an active visitor at the local children’s hospital and a participant in an anti-tobacco presentation at a local middle school.

Each week throughout the 10-week program, Burger King Corporation will name eight scholar athlete award winners, two from each division. In recognition of each scholar athlete’s achievements, Burger King Corporation will then donate $10,000 in the athlete’s name to his school's general scholarship fund. Four of these winners, one from each college football division, will be selected as finalists for the 1999 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year Award and garner an additional $25,000 for his school. The Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year award honors the nation’s top scholar athlete in college football. In recognition of the Scholar Athlete of the Year, Burger King Corporation will set up a $100,000 scholarship endowment at the school of the honored winner.

The winner of the 1999 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year Award will be announced in December. Last year’s recipient was Josh Penry of Mesa State College, who since graduating has become press secretary for Arizona’s House Representative Scott McGinnis. Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee garnered the distinction of becoming the first Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1997 and is now playing in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts.