NCAA® 2007 Men's College World Series - Omaha, Nebraska

Baseball Legend Tommy John to Support Program with Autograph Signing June 18 at Omaha Cingular Store  

OMAHA, Neb. (June 14, 2005) – To celebrate the heritage of the NCAA Men’s College World Series in Omaha, Cingular Wireless is giving fans the chance to “Pitch in for Youth Sports” when the Series games begin on June 17.  With this unique program, Cingular is providing fans with an opportunity to help support youth baseball and softball in Omaha by donating new and used equipment at its two retail locations in the city.  All donated items collected during the opening weekend of the College World Series will be presented to Father Flanagan’s Girls and Boys Town, a national organization headquartered in Nebraska. The equipment will benefit the nonprofit organization’s baseball team, girls’ softball players and recreational programs nationally.

“This is another way that we can use our relationship with the NCAA to help strengthen the role that athletics plays in the lives of student-athletes of all ages,” said Jeffrey Harkman, Cingular vice president and general manager – Minnesota/Northern Plains.  “Girls and Boys Town has touched the lives of so many kids in its 88-year history and it’s such an integral part of the Omaha community.  The College World Series is an excellent platform to implement this initiative around while allowing us to provide a convenient way for fans to get involved.”

”Sports are vital part of our efforts across the country to help our children build character, learn sportsmanship and become successful citizens,” said Father Val J. Peter, Girls and Boys Town executive director. “We want to thank Cingular Wireless, its customers and the NCAA Men’s College World Series for being so generous in assisting our efforts in this life-saving work.”

Equipment donations will be accepted at the two Omaha Cingular locations during regular store hours between Friday, June 17 and Sunday, June 19.  Requested items include new or gently used bats, balls, gloves, cleats and helmets.  As a special incentive, all fans who make a donation will be eligible to initiate a Cingular wireless account with no activation fee.

Four-time Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher Tommy John will make a special appearance with Girls and Boys Town student-athletes at the Crossroads Cingular location Saturday, June 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to sign autographs for fans and help encourage donations.  Noted for his durability and uncanny control, John, who attended Indiana State University, spent 26 years in the majors while totaling career 288 wins and 700 games started, ranking him 24^th and 6^th on the all-time list, respectively.

 “As a former little-leaguer myself, I know the importance that youth sports plays in the lives of kids and in entire communities all across the country,” said John, who has been involved in youth baseball in various capacities since his retirement from the majors in 1989.  “Unfortunately, not everyone has the means to obtain the proper equipment that will help them develop their games.  This is an excellent way to help promote baseball among youths and further the positive role that athletics plays in their lives.”

Omaha Equipment Donation Locations

Cingular Wireless*                                 Cingular Wireless         

Crossroads                                           Summit Square

7624 Dodge Street                                2615 S 144^th Street

(402) 393-7019                                     (402) 758-7036

* Tommy John appearance from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 18

Additionally, Cingular will be a part of the FanFest activities at Rosenblatt Stadium with its “Cingular NCAA Championship Experience,” an interactive celebration of college baseball made unique for fans through its voice and data applications.  Along with baseball-themed entertainment, such as a pitching accuracy station and video gaming terminals, fans can sample the latest Cingular products and services.  Former NCAA baseball stars will be on-site before Series games to meet with fans and sign autographs.

“Pitch in for Youth Sports” helps support Cingular’s mission as an NCAA Corporate Champion to foster learning, balance, character, community, spirit and fair play among athletes at all levels.  In addition, Cingular provides financial resources, manpower and expertise to help emphasize the important role intercollegiate athletics, including 88 championships in 23 sports, plays in our society. It also provides funding for related NCAA youth programs.

Girls and Boys Town cares for thousands of abused, abandoned and neglected girls and boys each year. With programs located at 19 sites and 15 states and in the District of Columbia, many Girls and Boys Town alumni have gone on to become successful in all facets of life. Throughout its 88-year history, the nonprofit, nonsectarian organization provides its children with a safe, caring, loving environment where they gain confidence to get better and learn skills to become productive citizens. Its headquarters, located in the historic Village of Boys Town, Neb., is also its largest child-care facility.

ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS

Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 50.4 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(SM) network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes.  Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/ . Get Cingular Wireless press releases e-mailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://www.cingular.com/newsroom

ABOUT THE NCAA

The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 360,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 49,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA Championships in Division I, II and III sports. For more information, go to http://www.ncaa.org/

ABOUT GIRLS AND BOYS TOWN

Father Flanagan’s Girls and Boys Town is a leader in providing treatment and care to abused, abandoned and neglected girls and boys. Last year, the 88-year-old organization provided direct care and treatment to more than 43,000 children and families at 19 sites in 15 states and Washington, D.C. It provided direct assistance to more than 500,000 children and parents through the Girls and Boys Town National Hotline (1-800-448-3000), and indirectly assisted nearly 1 million children and families through outreach and training programs.