Feb. 7, 2005

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University and Haggen, Inc., a long-time sponsor of the Viking athletic program, have announced a name change for the basketball/volleyball court at Sam Carver Gymnasium on the WWU campus. Making that announcement was Western Director of Athletics Lynda Goodrich.

"We consider Haggen to be not only a sponsor, but a true partner in helping Western Athletics attain its objectives on and off the field," said Goodrich.

The floor, now known as Haggen Court, will be formally dedicated Saturday, Feb. 12, when the men's basketball team hosts Seattle Pacific University. The naming rights run through 2010 with a renewable option.

"Haggen has been a long-time advocate of Western Washington University's athletic program," said Rick Haggen, co-chairman of Haggen, Inc. "We are thrilled to be able to further support the school with this, the new Haggen Court. We look forward to continuing our assistance of WWU's great athletic programs."

Haggen has been a corporate sponsor of Western Athletics since 1993, and has been instrumental in the rapid success the Vikings had in making the transition to NCAA Division II. The title sponsor of the Viking Golf Classic for the last 11 years, Haggen also is a driving force behind the Western Wave program initiated in 1997.

Haggen, Inc., operates 32 supermarkets and one stand-alone pharmacy in Washington and Oregon under the Haggen Food & Pharmacy, TOP Food & Drug and Fairhaven Market names. Headquartered in Bellingham, Wash., it is the largest independent grocer and eighth largest private company based in the State of Washington. Haggen, Inc., is listed in the Forbes Private 500.

Sam Carver Gymnasium, which was built in 1961, has a seating capacity of 2,535 for athletic events.