St.Vincent Named Sports Performance Provider for 2007 Hula Bowl

Top Football Athletes Will Receive Care from Indianapolis Health Care Provider

INDIANAPOLIS – St.Vincent Indianapolis Hospital has been named the official supplier of sports performance services for the 2007 Cornerstone Bancard Hula Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The new agreement will allow for the nation’s top collegiate football players participating in the upcoming all-star game to receive the highest quality of injury prevention and sports medicine support from Indiana’s most trusted health care provider.

The Hula Bowl is recognized as the premier postseason collegiate all-star game that has featured Heisman Trophy winners, NFL players and Hall of Fame coaches throughout its rich history.  St.Vincent Sports Performance Center is respected nationally for its commitment to improving the health and performance enhancement needs for professional and collegiate football athletes.

“Our relationship with the Hula Bowl will ensure that the nation’s very best collegiate football athletes receive optimal sports performance care from our athletic trainers, physicians and strength coaches,” said Ralph Reiff, director of St.Vincent Sports Medicine and Performance Center.  “We hope to build on this relationship and strengthen the city of Indianapolis’ reputation of having a presence at major sporting events at the national level.”

St.Vincent medical professionals will participate in the weeklong Hula Bowl activities in Hawaii with the athletes providing onsite health care and sports performance training.

“We are delighted to have St.Vincent’s top tier sports performance center join our team,” said Joe Dan Rogers, executive director of the Hula Bowl.  “Player safety is our number one priority and the dedicated staff at the Sports Performance Center will make certain that the best football players in the country receive the highest quality of care at our premier all-star game.”

St.Vincent Sports Performance Center annually trains approximately 15 top collegiate football players at its NFL Readiness Program each year.  Players participate in the program to improve their strength and conditioning, flexibility and endurance for the NFL Combine, the annual job interview held in Indianapolis for prospective NFL players. 

Approximately, 36 NFL players on 2006 active rosters train at the St.Vincent Sports Performance Center during the off season.

“We have extensive experience in training professional and top collegiate football athletes at every position,” said Reiff.  “Our relationship with the Hula Bowl will bolster our program and ensure that every player performs at a maximum level,” said Reiff.

The 2007 Hula Bowl Hawaii is scheduled for Sunday, January 14 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.