April 12, 2005

Moraga, CA - On Monday, April 4, the members of the Saint Mary's spirit team and mascot, Gael Force 1, participated in an ESPNU event held at the Thirsty Bear Brewing Company in San Francisco. As the only college at the event, Saint Mary's was responsible for enhancing the collegiate atmosphere.

The hospitality event was hosted by ESPNU to promote and showcase the network's newest venture to its affiliate partners. By leveraging the timing of the 2005 NCAA men's championship game, the goal for ESPNU was able to create an exciting atmosphere, focusing on its primary subject, collegiate sports. Saint Mary's was one of only two teams in the Bay Area to make the 2005 NCAA Tournament, making them an attractive choice to help promote the event.

Members of the Saint Mary's spirit team mingled with guests and took photographs, as the NCAA tournament championship game was shown on six plasma televisions located throughout the restaurant. Notable sports personalities in attendance included: Julius Erving, Bill Walton, Sam Perkins, Bobby Hurley, Mike Dunleavy, Jerry Tarkanian, and college basketball analyst Steve Lavin.