SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Wells Fargo announced an exciting new partnership on Tuesday that will bring the two organizations together for a series of soccer-related community endeavors as well as two presenting sponsorships for Earthquakes home games in 2011.
The partnership includes five key elements. Wells Fargo will sponsor community-based initiatives Goals for Education, Soccer Mom of the Match and the Earthquakes 4v4 Tournaments. Additionally, Wells Fargo is a co-presenting sponsor of the Earthquakes vs. New York Red Bulls match at Stanford Stadium on July 2 and will be the featured sponsor on Aug. 6 for Chris Wondolowski Bobblehead Giveaway Night.
“The Earthquakes are excited to partner with Wells Fargo for a trio of terrific community programs,” said Earthquakes President David Kaval. “They are a wonderful organization to work with and any time you can partner with a local organization that is looking to give back to the local community it’s a win-win for all involved. We look forward to working with Wells Fargo for years to come.”
“Wells Fargo is glad to partner with the San Jose Earthquakes to enhance the fans’ experience through exciting promotions and community programs at the grassroots level,” said Bob Ceglio, Santa Clara Valley regional president at Wells Fargo. “In addition to helping build enthusiasm for the team, Wells Fargo will support physical fitness and education by raising money for local youth soccer programs throughout the Bay Area.”
The Goals for Education campaign will raise money for local youth soccer programs. Each goal the Earthquakes score in 2011, Wells Fargo will donate $250 into a general fund to be dispersed at season’s end to soccer clubs and leagues in need. The Earthquakes have scored 20 goals in 2011 for a total of $5,000 with 20 games remaining on the schedule. For more information, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/goals4education.
Wells Fargo will also feature a Soccer Mom of the Match for each Earthquakes home game in 2011. One nominated mom will be selected for on-field and video-board recognition prior to kickoff. The winner will also receive four match tickets and a jersey. To nominate a mom, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/soccermom.
The third community program included in the partnership is the Earthquakes 4v4 Presented by Wells Fargo. The adult and youth soccer tournaments will take place on three different dates during the summer – July 23 at Independence High School in San Jose, Aug. 28 at Cesar Chavez Academy in East Palo Alto and Sept. 18 at Alden E. Oliver Sports Park in Hayward. Divisions include U-8 through U-19, Men’s and Women’s Rec, Adult CoEd and Men’s Open. Prizes will be awarded to the first- and second-place teams in all divisions. For more information and to register, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/4v4.
Along with community outreach programs, Wells Fargo is a presenting sponsor for a pair of Earthquakes home games this summer. First up is San Jose’s match against Thierry Henry, Rafa Márquez and the New York Red Bulls at Stanford Stadium on July 2 with a post-game fireworks show. That match will also include a reunion for players from the 1994 US World Cup squad.
Wells Fargo is also the presenting sponsor on Aug. 6 when the Earthquakes host the Portland Timbers at Buck Shaw Stadium. Chris Wondolowski bobbleheads will be given to 5,000 fans in attendance.
About Earthquakes Soccer LLC
The San Jose Earthquakes are a Major League Soccer team that entered the league as an expansion franchise in 2008. The Earthquakes play their home matches at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Earthquakes won the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003 and captured the Supporter’s Shield in 2005. The team played in San Jose from 1996-2005 before being relocated to Houston. The Earthquakes then returned to MLS as an expansion team in 2008. In 2010, the Earthquakes qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since rejoining the league and reached the Eastern Conference Championship. For more information about the Earthquakes, log on to www.sjearthquakes.com.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With approximately 280,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 23 on Fortune’s 2011 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.
