Wells Fargo Presents CSUN Athletics with $50,000 at Opening of Company's First University-Based' Banking Store in Calif.

Wells Fargo Regional President Vince Liuzzi presented Cal State Northridge Athletics Director Richard Dull with a $50,000 check today to mark that grand opening of the company's new banking store on campus.

"This department has been privileged to enjoy a four-year relationship with Wells Fargo Bank as a corporate sponsor," Dull said. "We look forward to the continuation of our relationship with the bank for years to come. Wells Fargo has been an outstanding partner in our efforts to provide for the academic and athletic education of our student athletes."

With today's contribution, Wells Fargo has donated $200,000 to support men's and women's athletic programs at CSUN during the past four years. Liuzzi, the San Fernando Valley bank regional president for Wells Fargo, said the banking institution also cherishes its relationship with the university.

"Well's Fargo's gift to the Cal State Northridge Athletics Department supports the athletic endeavors of hundreds of student athletes whose experiences in the field or on the court will help them in the classroom, in their careers and in the game of life," Liuzzi said.

The university also will celebrate the gift at "Wells Fargo Sellout Saturday" on Saturday, Feb. 5, when the Northridge men's basketball team takes on UC Irvine in the campus gymnasium. The game is scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m. Specially discounted advance tickets are $5, available through the university's Alumni Association at (818) 677-2137.

The new Wells Fargo branch at CSUN--the company's first "university-based" banking store in California--offers students, faculty and staff conveniently located ATMs, computer terminals and bankers on campus.

Wells Fargo has a long history of supporting Cal State Northridge. Only two years ago, the bank pledged $1 million to help prepare future teachers and aspiring business leaders.

The gift funded a university endowment that permanently supports special Wells Fargo scholarships for Cal State Northridge students studying to be teachers. It also helped expand the university's small business center, which was renamed the Wells Fargo Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The center, which has operated for more than 25 years, provides training for students and services to small business owners in the region.

Contact: Carmen Ramos Chandlerm (818) 677-2130, carmen.chandler@csun.edu or Chuck Sifuentes, Wells Fargo Public Relations, (213) 253-3375, Chuck.n.Sifuentes@wellsfargo.com