The SBC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SBC Communications, today announced a $25,000 scholarship contribution to the Hispanic College Fund to help commemorate the first-ever Hispanic College Fund Football Classic, Aug. 26, at Jones SBC Stadium. The targeted donation from the Texas-based communications company will help eligible Hispanic students who are interested in pursuing higher education degrees in business.

In addition to serving as the inaugural Hispanic College Fund Football Classic, Texas Tech's season opener against the University of New Mexico also commences two new eras for the university: the first game under new Red Raiders head coach Mike Leach and the inaugural game in the school's newly renovated stadium.

Last November, SBC made a $20 million donation to Texas Tech that allowed the university to begin work on a $72 million stadium renovation project. In June 2000, Texas Tech renamed Jones SBC Stadium in acknowledgement of SBC's contribution.

"SBC Communications is honored to help commemorate the inaugural Hispanic College Fund Football Classic with a donation to help minorities further their education in business," said David Lopez, president, Southwestern Bell-Texas. "The Classic provides another example of how Texas Tech athletics enhances higher education."

In 1999, the Hispanic College Fund awarded 146 students across the country with scholarships. Up to 200 scholarships are planned for the academic year 2000-2001. In April 1999, the Hispanic College Fund became the first national Hispanic organization to obtain affiliate membership with the NCAA in April 1999. The Hispanic College Fund allocates all of the funds received from corporations and foundations exclusively into its scholarship program.

SBC Communications annually is regarded as one of America's top companies for hiring and promoting Hispanics in the workplace. Recent recognition includes:

Number one company in America for hiring and promoting Hispanic working women, according to LATINA Style magazine's "Fifty Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the U.S."

"1999 Corporation of the Year" by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

Listed as one of FORTUNE magazine's 50 best companies for minorities for the second consecutive year.

The SBC Foundation addresses community needs in the areas of education, community economic development, health and human services, arts and culture. Since its formation in 1984, the SBC Foundation has distributed nearly $600 million in grants, United Way support and employee outreach programs focused primarily within SBC's core service areas. It is an independent foundation funded by SBC Communications Inc. (www.sbc.com) and its family of companies. Through its subsidiaries' trusted brands - Southwestern Bell, Ameritech, Pacific Bell, SBC Telecom, Nevada Bell, SNET and Cellular One - and world-class network, SBC's subsidiaries provide local and long-distance phone service, wireless and data communications, paging, high-speed Internet access and messaging, cable and satellite television, security services and telecommunications equipment, as well as directory advertising and publishing. In the United States, the company currently has 61.2 million access lines, 12.2 million wireless customers and is undertaking a national expansion program that will bring SBC service to an additional 30 markets. Internationally, SBC has telecommunications investments in more than 20 countries. With approximately 219,000 employees, SBC is the 13th-largest employer in the U.S., with annual revenues that rank it among the largest Fortune 500 companies.

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