The HERO Campaign Joins Monmouth University
in Recognizing Monmouth’s 2011 Designated HERO

Click for view enlargement Bill Elliott helps, winner Thomas Adair hold up a photo of Adair’s billboard. Suanne Schaad joins them.

February 21, 2011. Long Branch, NJ.
Monmouth University and the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers® are pleased to announce that Thomas Adair was selected as this year’s “Designated HERO” among Monmouth students. Adair was recognized at the University’s second annual Designated Driver HERO of The Year Award Ceremony on January 25, 2011 in the Magill Commons Club Lounge.

Bill Elliott, founder of the HERO Campaign explains, “The HERO Campaign has developed the Designated HERO program to recognize University and College students who are committed to provide a safe and sober ride home for their friends and family whenever necessary. It empowers the students and rewards them for taking responsibility.”

As this year’s winner, Thomas’s picture and name will be appearing on full sized billboards near to the Monmouth campus, suggesting that drivers “Be Thomas, Be a Designated HERO.” Adair was nominated by soccer teammate, Drew Von Vargen through an essay contest. According to Von Vargen “He’ll (Thomas) go the distance for any one of his friends, so I feel obliged to reciprocate.” In addition to billboard and campus recognition, Adair received a $200 gift card to the Monmouth Mall, a HERO t-shirt, a certificate, and notarization proving he won the award. Adair’s response during the award ceremony was, “I’m excited to see what happens next,”

Suanne Shaad, the University’s Substance Awareness Coordinator, invites students to submit essays nominating either a friend or themselves explaining why this person should be selected as a Designated HERO. A committee chooses three winners and a runner up. “I love this because it is a chance to showcase students making a positive decision about not drinking and driving,” Shaad said.

Monmouth President Paul G. Gaffney II, who brought awareness of the HERO Campaign to the Monmouth Campus in 2007, was on hand to congratulate the students and to speak about the HERO Campaign and its importance. Last year’s winner John Tronlone returned to speak about his wonderful experiences as Monmouth’s first Designated HERO. In addition to appearing on billboards, Tronolone had an opportunity to appear in a HERO Designated Driver commercial that plays at Citizens Bank Park before Philadelphia Phillies games.

The HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers® was founded by William and Muriel Elliott in honor of their son John, who was killed by a drunk driver two months after he graduated from the Naval Academy in 2000. The Campaign’s mission is to prevent drunken driving tragedies by promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers.

Other students who were recognized are second place winner Alex Marino, third place winner Candace Jahn, and honorable mention Yvonne Bridell.

To assist in the success of this Campaign, CBS Outdoor has donated the space of two print billboards along State Route 35. One is north of Herbert Road and the other is North of Deal Road, in Ocean Twp. Clear Channel also donated some space on two digital billboards near Exit 8 on the New Jersey Turnpike.

To learn more, log on to www.herocampaign.org

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