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SPAMMAN INDEX
EAT MORE SPAM!
Bob eats SPAM at least 3-4 times per week. It's great!
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SPAMMAN PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION June, 2000 PRESS RELEASE (Kona, Hawaii) Cuyahoga Falls resident, Bob Brubaker, also known as THE SPAMMAN, completed his qualification for the 2000 Ironman Triathlon World Championship on Sunday, May 28th when he crossed the finish line at the Keauhou-Kona Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. "The weather was HOT, over 85 degrees with humidity just as high," said Brubaker, who was dripping wet after the race. "My personal trainer, John Roseman, has really prepared me for a great season but there is not much he or I could do to prepare for the heat and humidity." "I did not go into this race with any unrealistic expectations because it’s impossible to train for the heat and humidity at this time of the year in Ohio, plus this was my first triathlon of the year – so I felt pretty good about things." Brubaker finished near the top of his age group in this 1/2 Ironman competition and in the upper third of over 750 participants from all over the world. "In addition to the race, it was a great SPAM event for me. I was interviewed almost everyday on radio and a number of times for newspapers on the Big Island and in Honolulu. The people of Hawaii show so much love for SPAM and the SPAMMAN that I feel like I really represent Hawaiians, along with all SPAM lovers everywhere, of course, whenever I participate in triathlons." Brubaker secured this unusual sponsorship for an endurance athlete prior to last year’s Ironman Triathlon which drew national attention. The connection continues to grow as Bob and SPAM are off to a second year at the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii on October 14th. Although Bob is covered with SPAM logos that you can’t miss when he swims 2.4 miles, bikes 112 miles, and runs 26.2 miles in the Ironman competition, Brubaker feels he also represents another group whenever he participates in triathlons – anybody with asthma or respiratory disease. "I really want to use my unusual athletic endeavors to promote the work of the American Lung Association, in particular the work they do to encourage kids with asthma to take their medication and LIVE LIFE. I have had asthma since infancy and although prior to getting the right medication to control it, it cut me out of some athletic endeavors, but I am now doing more than I have ever done." As Brubaker says, "When I race, I don’t race for myself I race for my Lord first, my sponsor SPAM, and for people who can identify with me as a Christian, as a SPAM lover, or as a person with asthma." Brubaker’s next competition will be the Vineman ½ Ironman in Northern California in July. ############################################################################ February, 2000 PRESS RELEASE The SPAMMAN is back! Bob Brubaker, also known as THE SPAMMAN has renewed his relationship Hormel Foods Corporation and will be representing SPAM at a number of triathlons and swimming events this year. The relationship began when Bob became the brunt end of some jokes when he admitted eating and liking the famous luncheon meat, known as SPAM. Bob played along with the gag and soon became known as the SPAMMAN. Once Bob received the notification by the Ironman Triathlon World Championship that he was to be one of the 1500 participants, Bob went to work to secure sponsorship and was soon the SPAMMAN at the Ironman. Once the word got out about Bob and his unique sponsor, Bob was seen on television stations, heard on radio facilities, and seen in newspapers everywhere. Paul Harvey couldn't resist telling Bob's story. The best was yet to come because the location of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship is Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and there is more SPAM sold per capita in Hawaii than anywhere in the world. Needless to say, Bob was an instant hit and the love he received from locals and other visitors helped Bob finish the grueling event in a very respectable time. Bob did not allow his loyalty to SPAM to dwindle after the race, even though the official sponsor - athlete connection had expired. Bob continued to sport SPAM logos while making contact for races in the year 2000. His loyalty has paid off and once again Bob Brubaker will be racing as THE SPAMMAN. Bob plans to do several Ironman qualifying events this year, including the Keauhou-Kona 1/2 Ironman race back in Hawaii, while hoping to get back for this year's Ironman Triathlon World Championship in October. Bob is also set to be the SPAMMAN, the swimmer, at the National Master Swimming Championships in Indianapolis. The SPAMMAN's work does not stop with athletic events. Bob is scheduled to be the grand marshall at this year's SPAM JAM festival in Austin, Minnesota. "The connection with SPAM has opened many opportunities for me to speak at schools, clubs, and churches," said Brubaker. Bob has even been approached to be a spokesman for the American Lung Association, due to his personal bout and victory over asthma. Brubaker seems to fit the role of SPAMMAN quite well, making friends where ever he goes, always seeming to "SPAM it up," as he says. "I feel the SPAM connection is perfect for an endurance athlete. I like the product, yes I eat the product three or four times per week, and have found good success in my training. His wife, Jan, is always coming up with new SPAM recipes using the famous luncheon meat and even makes an appetizer called SPAM CHEESECAKE which was featured on the piece on EXTRA last fall. As the SPAMMAN I feel like I am representing the common person and bring a connection between the normal guy at home and the big time athletic events. I am proud to be the SPAMMAN and thankful for the opportunities that it has opened to me." WATCH FOR BOB AT THE FOLLOWING RACES IN 2000 April 1 - O*H*IO Masters Regional swim meet - Wooster, Ohio April 27-29 - U.S. Masters Swimming National Championships - Indianapolis, Indiana May 28 - Keauhou-Kona Triathlon (1/2 Ironman and Ironman qualifier) - Kona, Hawaii July 9 - 1/2 VINEMAN - (1/2 Ironman distance and Ironman qualifier) - Santa Rosa, CA July 15 - Ohio State Masters Swimming Long course Championship - Cleveland, Ohio August 19 - Great Buckeye Challenge (1/2 Ironman) - Columbus, Ohio In addition, Bob will be participating in the following events:
########################################################## FROM "A SLICE OF SPAM"
- The official SPAM Fan Club Newsletter Winter 2000,
Volume 2, No. 3 Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. No, not Superman. SPAM MAN!Bob Brubaker, also known as SPAM MAN, a world-class triathlete who just finished his sixth race, tested his mettle against 1,500 of the world's greatest triathletes in the Ironman Triathlon World Championships. Held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on October 23, Brubaker edged out some 50,000 triathletes from 50 countries worldwide to qualify. Inspired, fueled and supported by SPAM, which he enjoyed for dinner the night before the race, the 46-year-old minister from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, finished the three grueling events in 12 hours and 9 seconds, placing 68th in his age group.The operative word here is "finished." Emblazoned with SPAM logos and cheered on by wife Jan, as well as eight members of his congregation, Brubaker swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, then ran 26.3 miles to complete the world's most famous endurance event. As for the SPAM connection, Brubaker said it all started as a joke when a fellow health club member asked his advice on what to eat during training. "I eat SPAM," he replied. "And from thatmoment on, I became known as 'the SPAM MAN."' It didn't take long for the folks at Hormel Foods, makers of SPAM, to pick up on his healthy devotion to the renowned luncheon meat. The company sent him a SPAM T-shirt and cap, which he wore with pride during daily workouts. One thing led to another and, before he knew it, Hormel Foods had generously agreed to support him in Hawaii. Things reached a critical mass as various publications and news sources - local as well as national - got hold of the story and ran with it (pardon the pun). Suddenly, Bob was enjoying a new-found celebrity status across the country. The nationally televised magazine program EXTRA even got into the act, running a feature story on his SPAMTASTIC exploits. Of course, wearing a SPAM bike helmet, SPAM swimming trunks and SPAM running gear in Hawaii didn't hurt his popularity. As you may know from some of our previously published stories, Hawaiians consume more SPAM luncheon meat per year than residents of any other state. "Publicity hit the island before I even arrived," explained Bob. "Jan and I were greeted with a 'Welcome SPAM MAN' at the air-port, I was interviewed twice on local radio and everywhere we went, my wife and I, along with the contingent of friends who came to Hawaii to support me in the race, received a real show of support from the Hawaiian people." This year has been a big one for Brubaker in other ways as well. In June, he celebrated a milestone in another long-distance event. He and his wife, who faithfully attends all his triathlons, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. And his favorite SPAM dish? "Grilled SPAM. I have it at least once a week. I can tell when I don't have my SPAM. I crave it."SPAM. Breakfast, lunch and dinner of champions. Well done, Bob. TEAM SPAM TAKES THE MEET TEAM SPAM TAKES THE MEET Representing the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium, the group of master's swimmers, known as TEAM SPAM took 12 first place finishes at the recent swim meet in Hudson. Led by Peter Nauman, who walked away with four first place awards, members of the group who meet each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:00 a.m. also included Ann Wilson, a Cuyahoga Falls High swimmer alumnus, Ed Wysmierski, John Roseman, and Bob Brubaker. Nauman placed first in the 50-meter backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, and 100 individual medley. Ann Wilson swam for a first place in the 800 and 1500-meter freestyle events. Ed Wysmierski, just a fraction of a second behind world record holder, Jack Grosele, placed first in his age group in the 50-meter freestyle and 200 meter individual medley. John Roseman who made his comeback debuts to competitive swimming placed first in the 100-meter breaststroke. Bob Brubaker took first place awards in his age group in the 800 and 1500-meter freestyle events and the 200-meter butterfly. In addition, TEAM SPAM, surpassed all other relay teams as Peter Nauman, John Roseman, Ed Wysmierski, and Bob Brubaker swam faster and completed the 400 medley relay in record time. Although the group seems to make a "big splash" at master swim meets, Brubaker insists, "That's not all we're about. We meet to train. Many of us compete but some do not. Everyone is welcome. Since the natatorium officials have so graciously provided a pool for us we are able to have multiple workouts going on simultaneously. We don't compete with each other; rather we help and encourage one another. The masters program is a real source of building camaraderie while providing some good training time for all levels." If you'd like know more about the master's program, contact the natatorium or stop in the lap pool any Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at 6:00 a.m. Check out SPAM's official website -
IT'S GREAT! |
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Friends
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Mahalo! Keep up with what's happening with the SPAMMAN and TEAM SPAM from this page. |
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