The Battle for Mascot Supremacy Kicks Off as Capital One Announces the All-America Mascot Team

The Battle for Mascot Supremacy Kicks Off as Capital One
Announces the All-America Mascot Team
Dogs, Birds, Turtles and Gophers Do Their Colleges Proud With Nominations to
Coveted 12 Member Mascot Team 


MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 12  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As the campaign for the West
Wing heats up, 12 other candidates have already put their best foot -- or wing
or paw or claw -- forward in a very different election -- the honor of being
named to the Capital One All-America Mascot team.  After a grueling nomination
process across universities and colleges nationwide, Capital One is proud to
announce the members of the 3rd Annual Capital One All-America Mascot Team:

               The 2004 Capital One All-America Mascot Team

                   Air Force Academy -- The Bird
                   Auburn University -- Aubie
                   James Madison University -- Duke Dog
                   University of Georgia -- Hairy Dawg
                   University of Kentucky -- Scratch
                   University of Maryland -- Testudo
                   University of Montana -- Monte
                   University of Nevada/Las Vegas -- Hey Reb
                   University of South Carolina -- Cocky
                   Virginia Tech -- Hokie Bird
                   Western Kentucky University -- Big Red
                   University of Minnesota -- Goldy Gopher



"Mascots are the heart and soul of every team," said Diana Don Colby at Capital
One.  "We are thrilled to give these 12 high-octane mascots the recognition
they deserve as members of the 2004 Capital One All-America Team. Not only do
they have bragging rights as part of this elite team, but the mascots will be
featured in a national TV campaign."

Over the past three years, Capital One has helped thrust the spotlight on these
unsung heroes of the gridiron.  In addition to starring in a national
advertising campaign, team members each receive $5,000 worth of funds for their
school's mascot program.

This year's fuzzy crew was chosen from Division IA and IAA athletic programs
with college football teams.  A panel of judges, including mascot guru and
historian, Dr. Roy Yarbrough; former college mascot and current sports marketer
from Richmond Sports Backers Scott Schricker; and representatives from ESPN and
Capital One, carefully analyzed each contender and scored them based on the
following criteria: (1) interaction with fans, (2) sportsmanship and (3)
community service.

"Fans have no idea how hot it is inside of those mascot costumes," said Scott
Schricker, Contest Judge.  "The ability to display passion and energy inside of
a 100 degree costume in front of thousands of screaming fans is a lot harder
than it looks.  It's great that Capital One decided to reward these unknown
heroes of college football with their very own All-America Team."

Mascot of the Year Competition

Capital One wants to know who is the best party starter in college football. 
Starting October 11, voters from across the country have the chance to vote for
their favorite dog, bird and other loveable crowd pleasers as they battle it
out in a weekly online voting contest for mascot supremacy at
http://www.capitalonebowl.com/.  Voting will consist of 11 weekly match ups
between the finalists (polls close on December 26).  The mascot with the best
win/lost record will win the online portion of the contest.  This online
"popular" vote will be combined with a judges' ranking (50/50 weighting) to
determine who gets the ultimate title.  The winning character will be
pronounced National Mascot of the Year on January 1, 2005 during the nationally
televised Capital One Bowl on ABC.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (http://www.capitalone.com/) is a holding
company whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank and Capital One FSB,
offer consumer lending products. Capital One, a Fortune 500 company
headquartered in McLean, Va., is one of the largest providers of MasterCard and
Visa credit cards in the world.  Capital One trades on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 500 index. Capital
One's affiliation with college football began with the sponsorship of the 2001
Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl (now the Capital One Bowl) and ESPN's Bowl
Week.  In addition, Capital One sponsors the ABC College Football Halftime
Report and numerous other college football programs. 

DATASOURCE: Capital One Financial Corporation



CONTACT:  Diana Don Colby of Capital One Financial Corporation,

[phone], ; or Stephanie Smith of MS&L,

[phone], , for Capital One Financial

Corporation



Web site:  http://www.capitalonebowl.com/

http://www.capitalone.com/ 

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