CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America officially announce Frank Beamer, head football coach of Virginia Tech, as the keynote speaker for the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet, scheduled for Dec. 3.

"The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been a prestigious award and a big part of college football for a number of years. I am honored to be a part of the ceremony this year,” said Coach Beamer.

Beamer, who was the consensus national coach of the year in 1999, is ranked third among active Division I-A coaches in victories with 198 over 26 seasons as a head coach. His Tech teams have posted a 142-42 record over the past 14 seasons and appeared in bowl games each year during that span, a feat equaled by just three other schools. Prior to winning the 2004 ACC championship, he guided the Hokies to three Big East Conference championships and in 1999 helped direct Tech to the national championship game.

"We're thrilled to have Coach Beamer give this year's Nagurski keynote address," said Bronko Nagurski Executive Director John Rocco. "As one of college footballs great coaches, his outstanding reputation on and off the field is the perfect match for the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy."

Beamer's Hokies have earned the highest national rankings in the program's history, spending 78 weeks in the Top 10 of The Associated Press poll over the past eight seasons. During one stretch that ended in 2003, Tech was ranked in 84 consecutive AP polls.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America to the nation's most outstanding NCAA defensive football player. The Charlotte Touchdown Club also honors local college and high school football players and over the last decade has raised nearly $775,000 for student athletic scholarships throughout the Charlotte Metro Area.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1991 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, North Carolina region. The Club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding Citizenship, Scholarship, Sportsmanship, and Leadership of area athletes and coaches.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy award finalists will be announced on Nov. 14th, with the award presented on Dec. 3rd at the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet in Charlotte. For recervations call 704-347-2918.