By Howard Wilkinson
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jim Matthews of Sharonville, the man who will push the ceremonial button at the moment Cinergy Field implodes, can thank his mother for the opportunity.

Not just because she brought him into the world, but because she bought the $10 ticket with his name on it that was picked at random as the grand prize winner in the United Way raffle.

"I can't believe this; it is going to be awesome,'' said the 38-year-old winner, whose name was picked in a drawing Tuesday at the Hamilton County commissioners meeting.

Mr. Matthews is a warehouse manager in Dallas, Texas, which is where he was Wednesday when his mother, Pat McQueen of Sharonville, called to tell him he won the grand prize.

"I'm getting an airline ticket and I'll definitely be back in time to push that button,'' said Mr. Matthews. "I spent a lot of time in that stadium. It's going to be an honor.''

Mr. Matthews said his mother bought tickets for him and his brother as Christmas presents.

"I figured, `well, that's nice,' but I never really thought I'd win.''

O'Rourke Wrecking Co. is set to implode the 32-year-old stadium at 8 a.m. Dec. 29.

By the Monday deadline for entries, 2,019 tickets were sold.

Three other winners' names were chosen in the drawing. Bill Bristol of Hyde Park will deliver the official countdown in the last 10 seconds before implosion, while Rebecca Bursk of Wilder, Ky., and Mark Rapier of Springboro, Ohio, will each be allowed to have a group of eight admitted to the special VIP viewing area.

E-mail hwilkinson@enquirer.com