MCLEAN, Va., May 16, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Colleges and universities have three weeks left to submit their nominations for the 2005 Capital One All America Mascot Team. The Team is comprised of 12 college mascots, each of which will be competing for the ultimate crown, the Capital One Mascot of the Year, to be announced during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 2, 2006.

The competition is open to all NCAA Division IA & IAA schools with football programs. Each athletic department was mailed a nomination kit in April and has a deadline of 5 p.m. EDT, Thursday, June 9, 2005, to submit their nomination.

"We're looking for the best of the beasts, and each year, we get all sorts of letters from fans that are disappointed that their mascot is not on the team," said Pam Girardo, mascot spokesperson for Capital One. "Often times, it's because their school didn't nominate their mascot in the first place. And we can't consider them if they're not nominated."

A panel of judges will select the members of the team based on fan interaction, sportsmanship and pedigree. The team will be featured in commercials airing throughout the 2005 college football season. Each All-American will be awarded $5,000 for use in funding its mascot program.

In September, fans can vote for their favorite of the 12 All-Americans at www.capitalonebowl.com to be named Mascot of the Year.

"We've changed the Mascot of the Year election process so that the Mascot of the Year is based solely on the online portion of the contest," explained Girardo. "This year, it's the peoples' choice."

The Capital One Mascot of the Year will be announced during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 2, 2006, and will receive an additional $5,000 ($10,000 total).

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) (www.capitalone.com) is a bank holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank, Capital One, F.S.B. and Capital One Auto Finance, Inc. offer a variety of consumer lending products. Capital One's affiliation with college football began with the sponsorship of the 2001 Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl (now the Capital One Bowl) and ESPN's Bowl Week. In addition, Capital One sponsors numerous other college football programs.

SOURCE: Capital One Financial Corporation

Capital One Financial Corporation, McLean
Pam Girardo, 703-720-2351
pam.girardo@capitalone.com