From: "Lee Hassinger" <[log in to unmask]>

Merril Hoge and Marty Hoge to be featured on "Disability Matters with
Joyce Bender"

PITTSBURGH, PA- Merril Hoge, former Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back,
will make his second appearance on "Disability Matters with Joyce
Bender",  along with his brother Marty Hoge, on Tuesday, June 21, 2005
from 2 PM to 3 PM eastern time.  Discussed on the show, will be a
fitness machine called the "Targit Trainer."  This machine was created
by Marty Hoge business partner Matt Siaperas, to promote the value of
exercise in improving health and fitness, as well as self-esteem for
everyone, including people with disabilities.  As we learned from
Merrill Hoge's last appearance, August 24, 2004, both brothers are
proponents of the idea to "Find a Way" to overcome whatever obstacles
present themselves in life; this is especially true for people with
disabilities.


Originally from Pocatello, Idaho, Marty Hoge attended Idaho State
University on a football scholarship.  Following his sophomore season,
he hung up his football cleats to raise a family.  Marty decided that
the only way he could be truly happy was to be his own boss.
Consequently, the brothers started their own business which is a small
chain of rent-to-own stores.  For the past 15 years, the chain has been
in business and is very successful.  Additionally, for over the past 20
years, Marty has been involved in body building, fitness, and nutrition.
Both Merill and Marty are  passionate about the Targit Trainer and its
potential to help others reach their fitness potential including those
with disabilities.

Merril Hoge was drafted in 1987 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he
played until 1993 and led the team in rushing and receiving in four of
his first five years, setting a record in his third year for receptions
by a running back.  He is one of only two Steelers players to rush for
more than 100 yards in back-to-back playoff games (the other being
Franco Harris).  He was Steelers Iron Man of the Year two years in a row
(1989 and 1990), and was named to the All-Madden team in 1989. In 1993,
Mr. Hoge went to the Chicago Bears as a free agent, where he played for
two years, until he was forced to retire early, due to post-concussion
syndrome. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Hoge had the longest
consecutive playing streak in the NFL.

In 1995,  Mr. Hoge joined ESPN as a football analyst, where he currently
works with Ron Jaworski and Suzy Kolber on the highly acclaimed EA
Sports NFL Match Up show, which is the only show that uses and studies
coaches' tape to provide an inside look at the game.  Mr. Hoge has
distinguished himself through his in-depth knowledge of both offense and
defense and his strong relationships with the coaches and players in the
National Football League.  Mr. Hoge is an analyst for NFL Tonight that
airs on ESPN television, and co-hosts The NFL on ESPN Radio.  He is also
co-host of The Great Outdoors Games on ESPN and ABC.

Mr.  Hoge is current Chairman of the Board of the Western PA Caring
Foundation.  Since 1985, the Western Pennsylvania Caring Foundation has
focused on helping more than 180,000 children get free and low-cost
health care, grief support and wellness information.

Additionally, Mr. Hoge has been a sought-after speaker on such subjects
as Life in the NFL; Health and Fitness; and Setting and Attaining Your
Personal Goals.   Since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and
beating it, there has been a greater demand for Mr. Hoge to present on
such subjects as Dealing with Adversity; Overcoming Obstacles; the Power
of the Mind and the Body; How to Use Adversity to Become a Better
Person; and Finding Peace in Your Life.

The host of Disability Matters, Joyce A. Bender, is President and CEO of
Bender Consulting Services, Inc. (BCS) and its "sister company", Bender
Consulting Services of Canada, Inc. (BCSC).  BCS provides competitive
employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities in the areas of
information technology, engineering, finance/accounting, human resources
and general business.  In 1985, Joyce had a life-threatening accident
due to epilepsy, which caused an intracranial hemorrhage that required
subsequent brain surgery.  Against all odds, Joyce recovered from this
accident that left her with a 60 percent hearing loss in one ear and a
realization that she had epilepsy.  As a result of her personal
experience, she developed a passion for helping people with disabilities
and founded both companies.  Ms. Bender is the recipient of the 2003 New
Freedom Initiative Award from the Bush Administration, as well as the
1999 President's Award from President Clinton.

For more information on Joyce A. Bender and her companies, Bender
Consulting Services, Inc. and Bender Consulting Services of Canada,
Inc., visit, http://www.benderconsult.com or
http://www.benderofcanada.com.  To learn more about Voice America,
visit, http://www.voiceamerica.com.  Past radio broadcasts are archived
on http://www.benderconsult.com.  To learn more about the Targit
Trainer, fitness equipment, visit, http://www.targitfit.com.

###


Lee Hassinger
Associate Research Assistant
Bender Family of Companies
3 Penn Center West
Suite 223
Pittsburgh, PA 15276
Office Phone: 787-8567
Direct Line: 412-446-4450
Fax:            412-787-7178
[log in to unmask]
www.benderconsult.com
Be sure to tune into "Disability Matters with Joyce Bender" every
Tuesday from 2 PM to 3 PM Eastern Time at www.voiceamerica.com.


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