May 8, 2008

For the release in PDF form, click here.

Cleveland, Ohio -- The Awards Committee of the International Collegiate Licensing Association (ICLA) has selected Brian Hommel of Louisiana State University and the LSU Trademark Licensing Team as the Synergy Award: Program of the Year.

The Synergy Award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to collegiate licensing over the course of the past year, has directly contributed to the betterment of the industry and his/her place of employment, has made significant contributions to the collegiate licensing industry through innovative or new ideas during the current academic year, has played a vital role on-campus/in the industry through his/her leadership and has demonstrated teamwork/involvement from multiple components in the licensing process.

Hommel will be recognized at ICLA's Sixth Annual Convention, June 9-12 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. On Wednesday, June 11, Hommel will also be honored during the United Sports Academy Directors' Cup Luncheon sponsored by Collegiate Images.

Hommel was named the Director of Trademark Licensing at LSU in 2005. In this capacity, Hommel is responsible for all facets of the administration of the University's Trademark Licensing Program, including working directly with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), CLC International and Collegiate Images.

Hommel also evaluates, monitors and develops new programs for trademark licensing, including the 2007 Football National Championship Program and preparations for the Men's and Women's Basketball National Championship Programs. In addition, Hommel has worked to expand the Tiger Tailer retailer program at LSU which is designed to maintain consistent communication with LSU retailers throughout the state of Louisiana.

Prior to joining the LSU staff, Hommel was the director of merchandise for the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). In his first three years with the Royals, Hommel elevated Reading's gross merchandise sales to the best out of the 31 teams in the ECHL. His efforts were rewarded in 2003-04 when he was named the inaugural ECHL Merchandiser of the Year. Hommel has also served as the Merchandise Manager for the Fort Worth Brahmas and Merchandise Director for the Monroe Moccasins, both of the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL). His accomplishments in Fort Worth were recognized with the 1999-2000 WPHL Merchandise Executive of the Year.