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Tug McGraw Foundation Awards First Collegiate Scholarships The Diamond 45 Scholarships Sponsored by UbiquiTel Inc. Will Help Further McGraw's 'Ya Gotta Believe' Legacy PHILADELPHIA, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- David John Stapleton, a junior and member of the baseball team at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and a resident of Williamsville, New York, never dreamed that the late Phillies relief pitcher, Tug McGraw, would play a personal role in his life. Following McGraw's death last year of a malignant brain tumor, Stapleton's mother sent him two notes - one with the words "Ya Gotta Believe," and the other a phrase McGraw often uttered: "Ten million years from now, when the sun burns out and the earth is just a frozen ice ball hurling through space, nobody's going to care whether or not I got this guy out." Stapleton taped the notes underneath his desk and didn't think about them again until his mother called him a few weeks later, explaining that her father gave her the same message when she was having problems as a young woman. Stapleton, who is diagnosed narcoleptic, took the inspirational words from underneath his desk, placed them under the brim of his baseball hat, and took comfort in their very personal sentiments. Stapleton and 18 other essay winners from across the U.S. were the first recipients of the Tug McGraw Foundation's "Diamond 45 Scholarship Program," which were awarded today to students who exemplify McGraw's "Ya Gotta Believe" philosophy. The scholarships were made possible by a generous donation from UbiquiTel Inc., (NASDAQ:UPCS) based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. "'Ya Gotta Believe' is a motivating message of hope for the future, not only for those facing the challenge of brain cancer or another devastating disease, but for anyone facing formidable life obstacles. Through these scholarships, the Foundation will identify and support collegiate students who will become leaders in their community and carry on the inspiring words that Tug made famous with the New York Mets in 1973," said Laurie Hawkins, president of The Tug McGraw Foundation. The Foundation awarded the Diamond 45/UbiquiTel Scholarships to student athletes from around the country who exemplify McGraw's spirit, and show promise to become leaders and carry on in his name. The scholarships were awarded through a competitive application process which judged applicants on their academic accomplishments, community involvement and leadership ability. The Diamond 45 Scholarship Program was established by the Foundation as one of its primary programs to honor McGraw's strong belief in the value of higher education and to support excellent students. Applicants submitted essays on how McGraw's stirring words had an impact in their lives and how "Ya Gotta Believe" played a role as they competed in their chosen sport or faced a significant personal situation. The winners include: Nathaniel Richard Williams, a resident of Spokane, WA, and a student at Gonzaga University; Joanna Fergul of Youngstown, OH, and a student at Gannon University; Kristen B. Haynes of Fairfax, CA, and a student at Villanova University; Kerri Louise Brugger of Oakland, NJ, and a student at Susquehanna University; Heather E. Chantiles of Harrisburg, PA, and a student at Shippensburg University; Christopher Troy Bennett of Louisville, KY, and a student at Centre College; Tahnea Murphy of Pocatello, ID, and a student at Idaho University; Heather Bortz of Allentown, PA, and a student at Moravian College; Courtney Conron of Slippery Rock, PA, and a student at Slippery Rock University; Meridith Hippert of Northampton, PA, and a student at Albright College; Brittany Malarkey of York, PA, and a student at York College of Pennsylvania; Kristina McCreesh of Philadelphia, PA, and a student at Albright College; Jennifer A. Murray of Philadelphia, PA, and a student at DeSales University; Anthony Michael Pangallo, a Danville, KY, resident, and a student of Centre College; Heather Rulli of Connellsville, PA, and a student at Slippery Rock University; Andraya Nicole Robertson of Spokane, WA., and a student at Whitworth College; Corey H. Smock of Guys Mills, PA, and a student at the University of Pittsburgh; and Megan Trimble of Coatsville, PA, and a student at the University of the Sciences. A formal presentation ceremony for the scholarship awardees was held at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia as part of the Foundation's meeting of the Board of Directors. Members of the Phillies roster who serve on the Board of Directors or Advisory Committee of the Foundation made the presentation along with Donald A. Harris, chairman and CEO of UbiquiTel Inc. "We were all so impressed with the depth and courage of the young people who received the scholarships today," said Harris. "All of us at UbiquiTel wish these outstanding athletes and scholars the best that life can offer, and the continued determination to achieve their dreams." The Tug McGraw Foundation is a 501(c) (3) organization based in Glenside, Pennsylvania. The Foundation (http://www.tugmcgraw.com/) was founded by former major league baseball player Tug McGraw prior to his untimely death in January, 2004, from brain cancer. McGraw, whose career spanned 21 years with the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, formed the organization to fulfill a vision to help brain tumor survivors and their families to live well through the funding of pioneering neuro-oncology quality of life research and to raise public awareness about brain cancer. The official registration and financial information of The Tug McGraw Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Additional information about the Foundation can also be obtained through their office at 217 Parkside Lane, Glenside, PA, (215) 885-5355, at their website at http://www.tugmcgraw.com/. Email requests may be directed to . UbiquiTel is the exclusive provider of Sprint digital wireless mobility communications network products and services under the Sprint brand name to midsize markets in the Western and Midwestern United States that include a population of approximately 10.0 million residents and cover portions of California, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. DATASOURCE: Tug McGraw Foundation; UbiquiTel Inc. CONTACT: Laurie Hawkins of Tug McGraw Foundation, +1-215-885-5355, or +1-267-664-2710 (cell); or Dava Guerin of Guerin Public Relations, +1-215-914-2040, or +1-215-262-0740 (cell), for Tug McGraw Foundation and UbiquiTel Inc.; or Brighid de Garay of UbiquiTel, +1-610-832-3311, or +1-610-453-7495 (cell) Web site: http://www.tugmcgraw.com/ http://www.ubiquitelpcs.com/

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