5.06.2008 - 02:09pm ET

(CSRwire) MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooks Brothers Chairman and CEO
Claudio Del Vecchio was at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital recently to announce that the company is joining with Stanford Financial Group to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through a signature sponsorship agreement with the PGA TOUR's Stanford St. Jude Championship to be held in Memphis, June 2-8. Del Vecchio was joined by Dave McKee, chief operating officer, ALSAC/St. Jude, Wes Kraker, Stanford St. Jude Championship Board Chairman and James Davis, chief financial officer for Stanford Financial Group, as well as patients from the hospital to announce the sponsorship.

The group announced that the legendary American clothier, which was the first to bring the fabric of seersucker to this country during the 1830s, will be tailoring a new champion's jacket from the distinct fabric, making the Stanford St. Jude Championship the only PGA TOUR event with a seersucker champion's jacket. The jacket, tailored by the 190-year-old clothier, will feature special embroidery in the lining with the champion's name.

"We are honored to bring the tradition and heritage of the Brooks Brothers brand to this historic tournament -- in what we hope will become a unique tradition of its own. There isn't another seersucker jacket at any PGA TOUR event, so to be able to design this customized champion's jacket especially for the Stanford St. Jude Championship is exciting for our worldwide brand," said Del Vecchio.

In celebration of the seersucker champion's jacket and to show support for St. Jude, spectators are encouraged to wear the traditional summer fabric on the final day of the tournament. "Seersucker Sunday," as it's being called, will allow fans to join the champion in wearing seersucker and "showing their stripes" in support of St. Jude. As the official apparel sponsor for the tournament, Brooks Brothers will outfit SSJC volunteers and staff in the distinctive blue and white stripes.

"We are excited to weave the Southern tradition of seersucker into the fabric of the Stanford St. Jude Championship," said Wes Kraker. "Whether it is a shirt, pants, hat or even a ribbon, wearing seersucker on Sunday is a way for our fans to become more connected to the tournament and a way for all of us to demonstrate our support of St. Jude -- the most important element of this event," he said.

Brooks Brothers also unveiled a commemorative polo shirt which will benefit St. Jude through the Eagles for St. Jude program to sell in its stores and on-site at the tournament. The commitment from Brooks Brothers is being made in collaboration with its Golden Fleece Foundation.

The announcement marks Brooks Brothers' expanded sponsorship in the golf arena. The company has ambassador agreements with the PGA TOUR's Scott Verplank and James Driscoll, as well as with the LPGA's Taylor Leon, and recently sponsored the LPGA's Stanford International Pro-Am, held at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club in Aventura, FL.

"We were looking for an opportunity to expand our commitment to golf
through key sponsorships and we've also become supporters of St. Jude and the incredible work that is done there, so when we learned that we could increase our support of this worthy cause and, at the same time, partner with the PGA TOUR on this event, it didn't take us long to commit. Aligning our brand with that of Stanford Financial Group, one of the premier providers of global financial services, seemed to bring it all together," said Del Vecchio.

James Davis said the partnership with Brooks Brothers highlights both companies' commitment to St. Jude. "Brooks Brothers is a brand that represents the very best in style, tradition and quality, and we're glad to welcome them as our partner in this signature golf event. But the tie that is bringing us together is St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and it is for these special kids and this organization that creates miracles every day that we have made our commitment," said Davis.

About the Stanford St. Jude Championship

The Stanford St. Jude Championship, Presented by FedEx ... now inits 51st year of providing professional golf to Memphis and the Mid-South ... started as the Memphis Open in 1958. In 1970, the tournament adopted St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as its sole beneficiary and since then has raised more than $19 million for the treatment of catastrophic childhood diseases. Over 1,850 volunteers produce the official PGA TOUR event under the auspices of Children's Champions for Hope, the 501(c) 3 governing body that co-sponsors the event. Past winners include Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Curtis Strange, Fred Couples, Nick Price, Tom Kite, Justin Leonard, David Toms and defending champion Woody Austin. This year's event is scheduled for June 2-8 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, TN. For more information, visit www.stanfordstjude.com.

About Brooks Brothers

Established in 1818, Brooks Brothers currently operates stores in the United States, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Chile and Dubai. The company also sells its merchandise through a direct mail catalog and e-commerce site, brooksbrothers.com. Brooks Brothers was acquired in December 2001 by Retail Brand Alliance, Inc., a privately- owned company which is specialized in manufacturing, merchandising and retailing. Please visit www.brooksbrothers.com for store locations.

About Stanford Financial Group

Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network of independent, affiliated financial services companies led by Chairman of the Board Sir Allen Stanford. The first Stanford company was founded by his grandfather, Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford's core businesses are private wealth management and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies.

The Stanford Financial Group of companies provides private and institutional investors with global expertise in asset allocation strategies, investment advisory services, award-winning policy and equity research, international private banking and trust administration, commercial banking, investment banking, merchant banking, institutional sales and trading, real estate investment and insurance. Stanford has over $43 billion in assets under management or advisement. Stanford Financial has made it a priority to invest in the communities in which it operates across the globe through signature corporate philanthropy initiatives with nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and countless local and national charities that strengthen communities.

Securities products and services are offered in the United States through Stanford Group Company, member FINRA/SIPC. Stanford Financial Group is not a legal entity, but a registered trademark that encompasses the global network of independent, but affiliated, privately held and wholly owned entities. More information can be found at www.stanfordfinancial.com.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.

About Eagles for St. Jude

Eagles for St Jude is a program created by Stanford Financial Group during its inaugural sponsorship year of the Stanford St. Jude Championship out of the desire to provide a season-long fundraising component for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For each eagle carded on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, Stanford donates $1,000 per eagle to Eagles for St. Jude. In addition, PGA Tour professional Vijay Singh, who serves as the Eagles for St. Jude ambassador, has committed to donate $5,000 for every eagle he makes. He is joined by other individuals, companies and golfers who have made commitments to the program, including golfers Camilo Villegas and Morgan Pressel who have committed $3,000 and $1000, respectively, for each eagle they make. Eagles for St. Jude is also supported by The Golf Channel, which provides season-long updates and promotional support. More information on the program can be found at www.eaglesforstjude.com.

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