Feb. 19, 2009

STANFORD, Calif. - No.3 Stanford will again take to the mats in the Bay Area, and will compete in the sixth annual Pacific Coast Classic this Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Oakland Convention Center. The Cardinal will compete against No. 2 California, No. 6 Illinois, No. 4 Michigan, No. 5 Minnesota, and No. 14 Air Force Academy, and a collegiate all-star team composed of Japan's top university gymnasts.

The Pacific Coast Classic is a benefit event that strives to provide direct assistance in preserving men's collegiate athletic programs and increase scholarship and competitive opportunities in the United States. Proceeds from the Pacific Coast Classic benefit organizations that significantly impact the expansion of men's sports opportunities in the United States.

The meet marks the fourth meeting this season between the Cardinal and the Golden Bears, and the first between all the other teams. Stanford is 1-3 in NCAA competition and is the top-ranked team in floor exercise and horizontal bar. Also, sophomore Josh Dixon is currently the nation's best gymnast on floor, senior Bryant Hadden leads the field in still rings, sophomore Tim Gentry is atop vault as the only man to average over 16, and redshirt senior Sho Nakamori is ranked first on parallel bars in the GymInfo rankings.

The Pacific Coast Collegiate Classic is an anticipated sellout. Online ticket sales are no longer available and tickets will only be available in limited quantities at the door. The event will be televised on tape-delay on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area. Broadcast times are still to be determined.

Stanford won the Pacific Coast Classic last year, defeating Oklahoma, Illinois, California, Michigan, and Air Force.

For more information, including tickets, please visit http://www.usa-sports.org/home.htm.