Sept. 8, 2006

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - UC Santa Barbara Athletics and the Santa Barbara News-Press have entered into a major sponsorship partnership, including the naming rights to the "Santa Barbara News-Press/UCSB Kids to College Program", UCSB Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing Joe Castiglia announced Thursday.

"We are very excited about our new partnership with the Santa Barbara News-Press," Castiglia said. "UCSB Athletics and the News-Press are both valuable members of our community and this multi-year relationship enables us to bring tangible athletic programs to benefit our city," he added.

The established UCSB Kids to College Program is designed to provide an opportunity for local youth groups to experience athletic events at the collegiate level on a complimentary basis. In addition to the "Santa Barbara News-Press/UCSB Kids to College Program," the four-year agreement will, among other things, provide the News-Press with title sponsorship of numerous Gaucho athletics' events, including men's and women's basketball games, men's and women's soccer matches, men's and women's volleyball matches, along with baseball and softball games. The News-Press also receives extensive signage at UCSB's Athletics' facilities as part of the association.

In addition to sponsorship of the "Santa Barbara News-Press/UCSB Kids to College Program", UCSB Athletics will receive cash, a specified amount of advertising through trade, a discounted rate for additional advertising space a dollar-for-dollar match on any advertising money spent above a designated amount.

"We welcome this unique opportunity to establish a major sponsor relationship with one of the finest universities in the United States and Canada," said Arthur von Wiesenberger, co-publisher, Santa Barbara News-Press. "The News-Press is deeply committed not only to supporting local collegiate athletics, but also to providing a chance for our youth to experience the excitement of college sports without financial constraints. We're looking forward to an exciting season ahead," he concluded.

The agreement began on Sept. 1, 2006, and will run through June 30, 2010.