THE COCA-COLA COMPANY SALUTES ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AT CIAA "SOULABRATION 2008" TOURNAMENT

Coca-Cola presents:

• Songstress Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry
• A community appearance by "Great Debaters" actress Jurnee Smollet
• Scholarships and Tournament MVP Awards

ATLANTA, February 28, 2008  -  The annual Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament-the nation's third largest basketball tournament, and largest amongst Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) -- returns to the Charlotte Convention Center, February 25-March 2, with the support of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola has been a proud sponsor of the event for the past 41 years and was among the tournament's first corporate supporters.

"It has been exciting to watch the CIAA Tournament grow in size and stature among major college sporting events during the past four decades," said Doug Coffed, vice president, Southeast Region, Coca-Cola North America. "Our support for this tournament has not wavered because Coca-Cola shares the CIAA's mission to showcase athletic achievement and academic excellence."

"Coca-Cola has consistently delivered exciting, innovative programs for CIAA Tournament fans since its inception," said CIAA Commissioner Leon G. Kerry. "This invaluable relationship has helped us provide not only scholarships for our students, but memorable experiences, as well."

Highlights of Coca-Cola's sponsored events include:

Friday, February 29
CIAA Presidents' Dinner (Johnson C. Smith University): Coca-Cola honors 10 HBCU presidents for their individual achievements as educational leaders, including Johnson C. Smith University President Dorothy Cowser Yancy, who will retire at the end of this academic year. To honor the presidents and Dr. Yancy's retirement, songstress Marsha Ambrosius of the Grammy-nominated duo Floetry will perform during the dinner.

Saturday, March 1
Coca-Cola in the Community: Coca-Cola demonstrates its commitment to academic excellence by sponsoring the appearance of actress Jurnee Smollett, one of the co-stars of the hit movie "The Great Debaters", who will share tips on debating skills to an audience of Charlotte area middle, high school and college students at the Imaginon: Joe & Joan Martin Center.

CIAA Tournament MVP Award Presentation: Coca-Cola presents the post-tournament MVP Award to the player who exhibits superior performance and unparalleled leadership on the court.

CIAA Tournament Scholarship Presentation: In addition to the MVP Award, Coca-Cola upholds its longstanding tradition of awarding $100,000 in academic scholarships to HBCU conference students. The award is evenly distributed to the general scholarship fund of each institution.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola®, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta® and Sprite®, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About the CIAA and the CIAA Basketball Tournament
Established in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the nation's oldest black athletic conference, rich in history and heritage. The CIAA is entering its ninety-sixth year of athletic competition in which they will continue to reap success and recognition on the field and on the court. The presence of the CIAA as a premiere member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II continues to expand throughout the country. The reputation, in conjunction with the academic success of our athletes, is a proud legacy for the CIAA. For more information about the CIAA, please visit our website at www.theciaa.com.

The CIAA Basketball Tournament is the largest HBCU basketball tournament in the nation. The tournament spurs more than 30 ancillary events throughout the weeklong contest and attracts more than 124,000 attendees annually. The popularity of the CIAA Basketball Tournament is credited with increasing the CIAA's exposure with the expansion of national television broadcasts and corporate sponsorship. For information about the 2008 CIAA Basketball Tournament and related events, please visit us online at www.ciaatournament.org.