Feb. 2, 2007

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Wheaties® unveiled its newest Breakfast of Champions® box Thursday in front of thousands of cheering UT fans at halftime during a game at Thompson-Boling arena, the largest home fan base in women's college basketball. The special-edition package, rolling out this week, features the elite University of Tennessee women's basketball program and head coach Pat Summitt.

Home to the winningest women's basketball team in history, the Lady Vols boast an unparalleled 1,026 - 236 (.812) all-time record and the architect at the center of all of this is incomparable head coach Pat Summitt, the winningest college basketball (men or women) coach in history. During her tenure, the Lady Vols have won six women's college basketball national championships (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997 and 1998), including 25 conference tournament and regular season championships. She has consistently led her teams to record-breaking performances and unmatched success not only on the court but off the court as well with the graduation rate under Summitt's leadership at 100% for all players who complete their eligibility at Tennessee.

The Tennessee package features an image of its home basketball court, a prominent school logo and Coach Summitt on the front of the package. The back of the package showcases an image of coach Summitt on the basketball court during a game as well as the famed school mascot.

"It is a great honor to be the first women's collegiate basketball coach to be featured on the front of a Wheaties box," said Head Coach Pat Summitt. "This makes a tremendous statement, not only for me, the Lady Vols and the University of Tennessee, but for women's basketball in general."

"The Tennessee women's basketball team has left a distinctive mark in the world of college basketball by showcasing unparalleled performance, a competitive drive, a sense of pride, and dedication over the years," said Dan Stangler, Wheaties brand manager. "Wheaties is proud to feature Coach Summitt and honor the championship tradition and the caliber of play the team consistently brings to collegiate basketball."

The new 18-ounce Wheaties package is now available regionally. Other college teams that have been featured on the Wheaties box include the University of Georgia Bulldogs, University of Kentucky Wildcats, University of Michigan Wolverines, University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, University of North Carolina Tar Heels, Northwestern University Wildcats, University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Texas A&M, Texas Western University and the University of Texas Longhorns.

Launched in 1924, Wheaties is the No. 1 whole-grain wheat flaked breakfast cereal in the country. The brand began its association with sports in the mid-1930s with a sign on the left field wall at Nicollet Park near downtown Minneapolis. General Mills' broadcast deal with the minor league Minneapolis Millers on WCCO Radio included the large signboard that Wheaties would use to introduce its new ad slogan: "Wheaties-The Breakfast of Champions." From that rather humble beginning; Wheaties has built a heritage that includes many of the greatest athletes of all time. Learn more at www.wheaties.com.