MELBOURNE, Fla. (Football) – Florida Tech has partnered with Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne to be the title sponsor of all football fundraising events for the 2012-13 season.

“This is an exciting time for Florida Tech with the start of a football program,” athletic director Bill Jurgens said. “The magnitude of this effort couldn’t be done without the support of corporate sponsors. We’re very grateful to Shay Rowe and Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne for the support of Florida Tech Football.”

“We’ve been involved for many years now with Sporting Affair,” Shay Rowe, owner and general manager of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne, said. “With the football program starting, it’s very exciting for the community. There’s a lot of talk about it around town. Dr. (Anthony) Catanese started football previously at Florida Atlantic and was very successful. We’re very proud and excited to be a part of it.”  

The first event the luxury dealership will present is Inside the Huddle with Howard Schnellenberger, hosted by President Anthony J. Catanese on Friday, May 25, at 6:15 p.m. in the Hartley Room of the Denius Student Center.

Schnellenberger, a highly successful NCAA and NFL coach, will be the evening’s guest speaker. He strolled the sidelines for more than five decades, winning one Super Bowl and four national championships, one as a head coach. He was the architect of Florida Atlantic University’s football program for its first 11 seasons until he retired in fall 2011.

FIT head football coach Steve Englehart will speak about the development of the Panther football program. The Football Founders Club will be introduced and season tickets will be available for the first time.

Former Brevard County football stars will be in attendance, including Bob Anderson and Leon Bright.

Call Ashley Gardner at 321-674-8429 for reservations. The cost is $100 per person. Corporate tables can be purchased at $800 for a table of 10. Business attire is required.

Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne is conveniently open seven days a week at 509 East NASA Boulevard in Melbourne. Visit them online at MBMelbourne.com or call 800-719-6617.