The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The winners of the trophy epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust's mission is to ensure the continuation and integrity of this award. The Trust also has a charitable mission to support amateur athletics and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for the Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or with special needs. All assets of the Trust beyond the expense of maintaining the annual presentation of the Heisman Memorial Trophy are reserved for such charitable causes. The Trustees, who all serve pro bono, are guided by a devotion to college football and are committed to community service and the valued tradition which the Trophy represents. The Heisman Trophy Trust assumed stewardship of the Heisman Memorial Trophy in 2002. Since that time the Heisman Trust has donated more than $12 million to worthwhile organizations throughout the country. The Heisman Trust partnered with New York Community Trust earlier this year to establish the Heisman Trophy Fund for Youth Development to support charitable organizations within New York City that use sports to engage underprivileged and special needs youth in educational activities. The Fund seeks to make sports programs that offer educational services widely available to disadvantaged and special needs youth, regardless of athletic ability, while also helping them learn teamwork, good sportsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence with integrity. All funds raised by this auction will go directly towards our charitable mission.