Thursday, January 26, 2012

East Tennessee State University extends its sincerest apologies to American Hole ’n One, Inc., after representing incorrectly earlier this week that the insurance company had denied a $20,000 prize claim that was to be given to a student who won a promotional contest during an ETSU basketball game.

In order to win this promotion, a participant must shoot a layup, a free throw, a 3-pointer and a half-court shot, and, if successful, the person wins a $20,000 prize or a car.  American Hole ’n One, Inc. has insured this promotion in the past, but the policy had lapsed and had not been renewed for the current season.

An ETSU student won the promotion on Monday evening (Jan. 23) during the ETSU vs. Belmont University basketball game.  A university employee spoke with American Hole ’n One, Inc. on Tuesday (Jan. 24) and was aware that the policy had lapsed but did not communicate that to the ETSU administration.   No claim for the prize was ever filed with the insuror.

Unaware that the policy had expired, the university chose on Tuesday, Jan. 24, to award the money to the student and worked with contest sponsors Mountain States Health Alliance and Johnson City Honda to provide the cash prize, which the student will be allowed to keep.  It was after the decision to award the prize that the ETSU administration learned that the policy had expired, that no claim had been filed, and that the employee had provided inaccurate information.  The ETSU administration became aware of these issues during the late afternoon on Wednesday, Jan. 25.  This situation is still under review.

ETSU has enjoyed an outstanding partnership with American Hole ’n One for many years.  Again, ETSU extends a sincere apology to American Hole ’n One for its misrepresentation with regard to this error.

David Mullins

Director, Intercollegiate Athletics