11.03.2004 ET

(CSRwire) BEAVERTON, OR - Jesse Billauer, a motivational speaker and surfer who suffered a spinal cord injury when he hit a sandbar headfirst while trapped beneath the waves in 1996, was named the 2004 Casey Martin Award recipient in a ceremony at Nike's World Headquarters today. The award ceremony included PGA Tour golfer Casey Martin, Nike Brand President Charlie Denson, Hurley International CEO Bob Hurley, Nike's first employee Jeff Johnson, U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, U.S. Gold Medal Paralympic Tandem Cyclist Karissa Whitsell and Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, last year's award winner.

Nike created the Casey Martin Award in 2001 to recognize the efforts of an athlete who, like Martin, has overcome physical, mental, societal or cultural challenges to excel in their sport, or who advocates for other athletes who face similar challenges. The award includes a $25,000 Nike grant. This year's grant will go to the foundation that Jesse founded, Life Rolls On.

"The Casey Martin Award reminds us how important it is to continue advocating for the rights of athletes of all abilities to compete in their chosen sport," Charlie Denson said. "Nike was founded on the principle that if you have a body, you are an athlete. As a passionate surfer both before and after his injury, Jesse's strength is an inspiration to athletes everywhere who may differ in their physical capabilities but share the same dreams and drive."

Developing a passion for the water from an early age, Billauer quickly added surfing to his repertoire of sports in which he excelled - a category that already included baseball, soccer, snowboarding and ice hockey. Surfer Magazine labeled him as one of the top 100 up-and-coming surfers in the world, and at age 16, Billauer became the youngest member of the California State Lifeguard team.

Billauer, now 25, survived a serious car accident in 1995, rebounding to rank No. 1 among juniors in the Pacific Surf Series. But six months later, while surfing with friends one morning before school, a wave knocked Billauer down, headfirst in the sandbar just a few feet below the surface, shattering his cervical spine and severing his spinal cord.

His friends brought him ashore, but Billauer had suffered a complete spinal cord injury at the C-6 level - a less severe but similar injury suffered by Christopher Reeve, who would become a close friend. The injury robbed Billauer of any sensation or movement below his chest and limited use of his arms and hands. It was two weeks before he was to begin his career as a professional surfer.

His foundation, Life Rolls On (LRO), is a non-profit foundation dedicated to increasing awareness about spinal cord injuries within youth culture via influential action-sports athletes and raising funds for research, LRO. Life Rolls On works closely with the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

"Through the Life Rolls On Foundation, I have tried to motivate others to appreciate their abilities but recognize their fragility," Billauer said. "Being honored today by Nike with the Casey Martin Award in turn motivates me to continue educating the public about spinal cord injuries and continue encouraging athletes of all abilities to face their challenges."

Four years after his accident, Jesse returned to surfing with the help of his friends. One carries him to his board, and others tow him out and surf next to him to provide assistance if needed. He is able, once again, to participate in the sport he loves so much.

In May 2002, Billauer graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in communications. He now speaks regularly, particularly to young people, about the importance of family and friends, and about the need to live life to the fullest and never give up on your hopes and dreams.

"Jesse represents the true spirit of the Casey Martin Award," said Jeff Johnson, Nike's first employee and a speaker at today's ceremony. "As a tireless advocate for spinal cord research and an inspirational speaker, he turned a life-altering experience into something positive for not only himself but also for all the individuals he has touched through his work."

About the Life Rolls On Foundation
Life Rolls On is a non-profit 501(c)3 Foundation dedicated to increasing awareness of spinal cord injuries (SCI) within youth culture via influential action sports athletes. Through recreational, educational, and developmental programs, Life Rolls On also raises money to fund research for the treatment and cure of paralysis caused by SCI. Its Web site is www.liferollson.org.

About the Casey Martin Award
Nike established the Casey Martin Award in 2001 to honor an individual who, like Martin, is changing the very face of the sport in which they compete. The Casey Martin Award is given annually by Nike to an individual of any age with a current disability as defined by the Department of Justice; someone who has pursued their sport of choice to a level of success despite challenges; or someone who has taken a personal or public stand to support athletes with disabilities to participate in sports. In addition to individual recognition, the recipient will be able to direct a grant award of $25,000 to a qualified nonprofit organization of his or her choice.

The award was named in honor of pro golfer Casey Martin, who has Klippel-Trenauny-Weber Syndrome, a rare, incurable and degenerative condition that causes chronic leg pain and makes it physically impossible for him to walk during tournaments. Martin sued the PGA Tour on Feb. 2, 1998, claiming that the Tour's denial of his request to ride a cart during PGA Tour events violated his civil liberties under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later upheld Martin's victory in that trial. The PGA Tour appealed the decision to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Martin in May of 2001.

The Casey Martin Award is an integral part of Nike's overall diversity commitment to ensure that there are employees of all abilities in its workplace, and athletes of all abilities on the playing field. Judges on the award committee, including representatives from Nike Golf, Global Community Affairs and the Nike Disabled Employees Network, selected Billauer among 62 candidates. For information about the award, including past year's recipients, go to www.nikebiz.com/caseymartinaward.

About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan® a leading designer and marketer of luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel.

For more information about Nike Corporate Responsibility, visit www.nikeresponsibility.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos of the Casey Martin Award ceremony can be found at www.nikebiz.com/caseymartinaward.

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