BP ANNOUNCES FIVE-YEAR SPONSORSHIP
OF UAF'S TOP OF THE WORLD CLASSIC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 28, 2000

Fairbanks, Alaska - Today at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Chancellor Marshall Lind announced a five-year, $375,000 agreement with BP to sponsor the university's Top of the World Classic basketball tournament.

"We're proud of our association with the Top of the World tournament," said Jim Palmer, vice president of external affairs for BP in Alaska. "It's a top-quality event. Our sponsorship is part of an effort to show our long-term partnership with the people of Fairbanks and the University of Alaska."

"This is a wonderful development in the history of our tournament," Chancellor Lind said. "It provides stability and the long-term financial support we need so we can focus our efforts elsewhere."

The fifth annual 2000 Top of the World Classic features teams from Austin Peay, Colorado, Davidson, Jackson State, Santa Clara, South Florida, Utah State, and host UAF. The tournament tips off in the Carlson Center Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. with UAF battling Colorado. One highlight this year is the return to Fairbanks of former Lathrop High School star Kyle Bailey, who's now playing point guard for the Santa Clara Broncos.

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CONTACT: John Ringstad, BP in Fairbanks, 907-456-6891, or Jeremiah Bartz, Sports Information Assistant at UAF, 907-474-6805.

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