NFL Quarterback Jon Kitna Continues To Support CWU Athletics

July 2, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Space is still available to participate in the sixth annual Wells Fargo Wildcat Golf Classic hosted by Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions quarterback and former Central Washington University football standout. The popular tournament, which is Thursday, July 10, 2008, will be held at the Suncadia Resort Golf Course in Roslyn, Wash. Bringing in more than $30,000, the tournament is one of the largest fundraising events for Wildcat Athletics at Central and continues to grow each year.

"We're closer to a sell-out than we've ever been," says CWU athletic director Jack Bishop, who is expecting a record turnout this year. "We expect this to be our biggest tournament ever."

Kitna, who led the Wildcats to a National Championship in 1995, grew up in Tacoma, Wash., and graduated from Lincoln High School. Although he is unable to attend this year's event, he continues to lend his support to the tournament, which helps raise funds for scholarships for Wildcat athletes.

The golf classic consists of a morning and an afternoon session. Along with community members and friends of the university, the growing list of players includes Central coaches, alumni, and former CWU athletes, and many of Kitna's high school and college buddies, as well as a few of his friends from the NFL.

In 2002, Central held the first ever CWU golf tournament hosted by Kitna at the Ellensburg Country Club. It has since grown and moved locations twice. First to Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, and then to the Suncadia Resort Golf Course in Roslyn, which is where it's been the past three years.

"This event will only get bigger and better as Suncadia expands, " predicts Bishop. "I hope to eventually play on two courses at Suncadia and draw 500 or more golfers to the tournament."

With such a dedicated host like Kitna lending his name to the cause and such a great sponsor like Wells Fargo, Bishop says he anticipates reaching that goal soon.

The morning flight begins at 7:30 a.m. and the afternoon flight, which is already full, begins at 1 p.m. Tournament participants will be treated to a dinner and the chance to win some prizes. All will receive a hat, golf balls and a tournament shirt.

Registration is $165 per golfer. Participants will play a four-man scramble format and can choose from three divisions: Open Division, Alumni Division or Senior Division. For more information or to sign up online, visit www.wildcatsports.com.

Media Contact:
CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.