Cumberland, Md. (April 2, 2009) — The Allegany College of Maryland will host and participate in the mid-Atlantic forestry conclave, which will feature the STIHL TIMBERSPORTSCollegiate Series. The competition will include six schools from the mid- Atlantic region including Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC; Montgomery Community College in Troy, NC; Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa. and Penn State, Mont Alto in Mont Alto, Pa.
The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Challenge will take place on the Allegany campus at 12:30 p.m. EDT April 18. Nestled in the ridge-and-valley Appalachians, the Allegany College of Maryland is slated to be one of the first two-year schools to have its forestry program accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). In the past SAF only recognized educational programs leading to a two-year Associates degree in forest technology or the equivalent, but did not offer accreditation. However, beginning Aug. 1, 2009, SAF will conduct a program of accreditation for educational programs in forest technology and accredit two-year programs. SAF accreditation enables Allegany to have a higher level of scrutiny for its traditional forest management program. Additionally, Allegany offers a specialization in urban forestation.
"Bringing the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series to our campus is a great honor," said Steve Resh, Professor and Coordinator of Forestry Programs at Allegany. "I've been a part of the forestry school here for the last 23 years, and this is a tremendous opportunity for us to elevate our program."
ESPNU cameras will capture all the action on the Allegany campus. Student lumberjacks will go head-to-head in four different disciplines, the single buck, standing block chop, stock saw and underhand chop in the STIHL sponsored event. The amateur lumberjacks will be judged based on the STIHLTIMBERSPORTSSeries professional rules.
"We're looking forward to bringing the STIHL TIMBERSPORTSCollegiate Series to Allegany College to determine the regions best amateur lumberjack and to support the schools growing forestry program," said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. "The Mid-Atlantic Challenge is one of the more intimate competitions in terms of the number of participating schools, but its quite big in terms of athleticism, prowess and sheer determination."
Since its inception in 2003, the Collegiate Series has traveled to college campuses across the country searching for the most gifted amateur lumberjacks and offering them the opportunity to advance in the sport. More than 50 colleges and universities participate in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Series.
Before the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Challenge, a training session will be conducted by professional lumberjack Mike Slingerland. Slingerland has been competing in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTSSeries for more than a decade. He will provide pointers to the collegiate lumberjacks, demonstrate many techniques involved in the lumberjack disciplines, and assist the athletes in improving their skills.
In addition to the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Challenge, the Collegiate Series consists of four additional regional events and one championship. The complete schedule for the 2009 STIHLTIMBERSPORTSCollegiate Series includes:
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Central/Midwest hosted by Michigan Tech in Houghton, Mich. Sept. 29, 2008
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Southeastern hosted by Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Ala. March 12, 2009
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Western hosted by Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif. March 20, 2009
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Mid-Atlantic hosted by Allegany College of Maryland in Cumberland, Md. April 18, 2009
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Northeast hosted by Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. April 25, 2009
The winner of the each regional Collegiate Challenge event will earn a spot in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Championship in Columbus, Ga. June 19-21 a $1000 scholarship from STIHL for his school. In Columbus, the five regional winners and one wildcard pick will go head-to-head to claim the 2009 Collegiate Championship title, who then earns a place in the professional ranks in the 2010 STIHLTIMBERSPORTS Series presented by Carhartt.
The entire 2009 season of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Series will air on ESPNU. Fans of the series can also get the latest information and up-to-date news and video on all the competitions by signing up for the Quick Cuts e-newsletter at
www.stihltimbersports.com
.
Join the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Mobile Community now by texting STS to STIHL (78445) and receive the latest updates in news, alerts and special offers direct to your mobile device. Standard mobile service provider rates apply.
For more information, go to
www.ESPNOutdoors.com
and click on TIMBERSPORTS, or visit
www.stihltimbersports.com
.
STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Series Mid-Atlantic Conclave
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When:
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April 18 at 12:30 p.m. EDT
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Where:
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Allegany College of Maryland
12401 Willowbrook Rd, SE
Cumberland, MD 21502
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Participating Schools:
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Allegany College of Maryland, Cumberland, Md.
Haywood Community College, Clyde, NC
Montgomery Community College, Troy, NC
Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pa.
Penn State, Mont Alto, Mont Alto, Pa
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About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world's largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through independent servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the
dealer locator
on STIHL's Web site at www.stihlusa.com.
STIHL Inc. is the official underwriting sponsor of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series. The series airs throughout the year on the ESPN2 cable network, and the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Series airs on ESPNU. The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS SERIES is the pinnacle event in lumberjack sports. Since 1985 the Series has grown to become the premier showcase of the decades old sport of lumberjacking with competitions held around the world.
The term TIMBERSPORTS is a registered trademark owned by ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG. and refers to the series of disciplines and competitions that are part of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series. As such, it should not be used as a generic description of the overall sport of lumberjack sports. This trademark refers to all modifications of the term TIMBERSPORTS such as timber sports, or timbersport. The term TIMBERSPORTS should always appear in conjunction with "STIHL."
About Carhartt, Inc
Established in 1889, Carhartt, Inc. exists to provide best-in-class, durable products for the active worker. Carhartt is a family owned, consumer focused, global company that is respectful of its heritage. We lead the way in developing durable, premium, high quality products and services for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., with more than 4,500 employees worldwide, Carhartt is privately owned and managed by the descendants of the companys founder, Hamilton Carhartt. For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.
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