College Mascots Prepare to Battle, Cross-Train and Climb Their Way to the Pinnacle of Mascot Fame and Fortune

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 3, 2009-- Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) today announced the members of the eighth annual Capital One All-America Mascot Team, made up of 12 over-sized and often under-appreciated characters – including three felines, a bird (that could be trouble), turtle, horse, rabbit, lizard, goat, badger and a big red ‘creature.’ Each one of these mascots will be putting their best claw, paw, hoof and talon forward while attempting to claim the proverbial mountain of mascot fame and fortune – the title of “Capital One National Mascot of the Year.”

Fans can visit www.capitalonebowl.com to vote for their favorite All-American Mascot, who will be announced during half-time of the Capital One Bowl, airing on ABC at 1 pm EST on January 1^st. This year’s contest features a weekly mano-a-mano battle royale among this year’s All-Americans:

“We created this contest to celebrate the unsung heroes of college football,” said Steve Schooff at Capital One. “Last year, a cardinal from Iowa State University soared its way to the pinnacle of mascot fame and fortune. This year, we’re anxious and excited to see which mascot will rise to the challenge and claim the throne of Capital One National Mascot of the Year.”

The fan vote is the sole determinant of the winner; the people choose. Voting consists of 11 weekly head-to-furry-head match ups between the All-Americans, with fans being able to vote daily for their favorite mascots. The mascots with the best win/loss records face off in online playoffs starting in November. The winner will be pronounced Capital One National Mascot of the Year on January 1, 2010 during the Capital One Bowl.

“Mascots work as hard as anyone on the field, but are lost in the shadows of touchdown celebrations and pre-season and post-season accolades of the flashy all-star quarterbacks and running backs,” said Dr. Roy Yarbrough, mascot guru and historian. “This is a great tribute to them, and fans should show their support. Bragging rights and national recognition are on the line.”

This year’s eclectic crew of birds, mammals, reptiles and creatures were chosen from Division IA and IAA athletic programs with college football teams. They made the squad after being ranked on mascot musts such as interaction with fans, originality and pedigree. The panel of judges included mascot guru and historian, Dr. Roy Yarbrough, and representatives from Capital One.

Over the past seven years, Capital One has helped thrust the spotlight on these unsung heroes of the gridiron. Team members star in a national advertising campaign, which this year features the mascots participating in the Mascot Training Camp, a series of unusual (and fictitious) athletic, awkward and hilarious mascot competitions including the T-shirt firing range, parade float pulling, and good old-fashioned choreography. Starring in this year’s commercials is football great Doug Flutie, playing the role of ‘Mascot Trainer.’ In addition to the hoopla, each mascot receives $5,000 for its school’s mascot program, and the Capital One National Mascot of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship to help fund its school’s mascot program.

WRITE IN YOUR FAVORITE MASCOT AND FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE MASCOT ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Didn’t see your school’s mascot in this year’s Mascot Challenge? Once again, Capital One has added an additional fan component to this year’s competition. Fans can log on to www.capitalonebowl.com and nominate your school’s mascot for a chance to win $1,000 toward their Mascot Program and an opportunity to compete in the 2010 Capital One Mascot Challenge! Each voter is allowed one vote per day after they vote for this year’s mascots, so show your school spirit and vote – vote – vote to see your favorite BMOC (Big Mascot on Campus) in next year’s competition! Congratulations to Jack from South Dakota State University, who is the 2008 write-in winner, earning himself a spot on this year’s team.

Additionally, loyal fans can follow this year’s Capital One National Mascot of the Year competition on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MascotChallenge. Or, if Facebook isn’t enough, and you need more from your favorite mascot, then follow the competition on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CapitalOneBowl. Other elements on the site include a downloadable standings widget, customized with one of your favorite mascot contenders. This widget works with Facebook, MySpace, and a slew of other personal blogs, and social media applications. New to this year’s site will also be a virtual T-shirt cannon game which allows fans to virtually shoot t-shirts at their school’s fans online.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., had $116.7 billion in deposits and $146.3 billion in managed loans outstanding as of June 30, 2009. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One, N.A. has approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 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.

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Source: Capital One Financial Corporation

Capital One Financial Corporation
Steve Schooff 972.295.1676
stephen.schooff@capitalone.com