Maloof Skateboarding – which produces the world’s greatest skateboarding event, The Maloof Money Cup – and the Digital College Network (DCNLive.com) have teamed up to launch Maloof U Skate Madness, an online video contest to find the best college skaters in the country. The four finalists will win a trip to Panama City during Spring Break to compete for their share of the $10,000 cash and prize purse and a chance to claim the title of the best college skateboarder in the country.

“We’re really excited to partner with DCN for this contest,” said Joe Maloof, founder of Maloof Skateboarding and owner of the Palms Casino Resort and the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. “Every March, college campuses around the country explode with excitement surrounding the March Madness basketball event. We wanted to bring the same camaraderie and competitive spirit between colleges to the world of skateboarding. We’re going to give college students the opportunity to represent their schools and bring the four best college skaters down to Panama City, Florida, during Spring Break to compete for $10,000 in cash and prizes.“

To enter the contest, hopeful contenders must first register as a member on the DCNLive website, the student-exclusive website of the Digital College Network, then upload their best skate footage. The top 64 videos will be posted online and DCNLive’s members will rate the footage and vote on their favorite skaters. The 16 skaters earning the most votes will be evaluated by a panel of pros and celebrity judges, who will narrow the field to four finalists. Those four finalists will compete in a one-day competition in March during Spring Break festivities at Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City, Fla., the No. 1 Spring Break destination in the country.

“It seemed natural to do something on our country’s college campuses that would really fuel the excitement for skateboarding among these kids and to do it in a way that college students can relate to, and that’s how we came up with the idea for Maloof U Skate Madness,” said Maloof. Chris Esposito, president and CEO of the Digital College Network, agrees.

“We have long known skating was a very popular sport for young people, especially college students,” he said. “We are delighted to partner with the Maloof Money Cup to find the best college skateboarder in America. We look forward to making the Maloof U Skate Madness championship one of the most coveted prizes on the American college scene. Panama City is a great venue for the finals, and we are excited about making this an annual event as part of our Spring Break celebration.”

Portions of submitted videos will be broadcast on DCNLive’s on-campus digital network, which airs content for and by students in campus bookstores and recreation centers nationwide. In addition to the broadcasts, DCNLive will encourage entries through viral marketing conducted by DCN Dynamos, the company’s on-campus representatives. DCNLive will also cover the event and broadcast results, including competition footage and interviews with the finalists.

About Maloof Skateboarding
Maloof Skateboarding produces the Maloof Money Cup, the world’s greatest skateboarding event and the premiere showcase for amateur and professional skateboarding. In 2010, the “Maloof Money Cup presented by Vans” hosted two events, one in Orange County, Calif., and one in to Queens, New York, building a world-class skatepark that was donated to the community after the contest. In 2011, the Maloof Money Cup goes global with the first-ever World Skateboarding Championships in Kimberley, South Africa, Sept. 28-Oct 2. Join our network to share the competition experience with a global audience and be the first to know about exciting upcoming MMC announcements and exclusive contests. Go to www.maloofmoneycup.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @maloofmoneycup.

About The Digital College Network
The Atlanta-based Digital College Network is a collection of companies meeting the needs of college students nationwide:
DCNLive features an on-campus digital broadcast network, student-exclusive website, contests, on-campus representatives and event activation on and around campuses nationwide. The place-based digital network generates 10 million impressions monthly. www.dcnlive.com

DCN Careers, a soon-to-launch job site, will cater to enhancing job searches for students looking for part-time employment, internships or the all-important first job. www.dcncareers.com

DCN Tickets specializes in obtaining premium and sold-out concert tickets, sports tickets and theater tickets to events nationwide. www.dcntickets.com

ThinkDCN Realty offers concierge-style services for students relocating to urban areas after graduation. www.thinkproperties.com

The Digital College Network’s B2B site can be visited at www.digitalcollegenetwork.com.

Maloof U Skate Madness is not in any way affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by, the National Collegiate Athletic Association or any of its member institutions. All trademarks related to the event are owned by Maloof Skateboarding LLC, Digital College Network, Inc., and their respective affiliates, sponsors, and licensors.

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