(INDIANAPOLIS)-- The Indiana Invaders, based in Indianapolis, will host the inaugural Fifth Third Bank Clash For Cash at the Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium on the campus of IUPUI on Saturday, July 1 at 6:30 pm featuring an estimated 150 athletes competing in one of the final meets prior to the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials to take place July 14-23 in Sacramento, Calif.

Craig Masback, USA Track & Field executive director (standing) Invaders President Greg Harger (standing) Sam Bell, President of the U.S. Track & Field Coaches Association (seated)

The meet format, developed to increase the spectatorship and audience participation in a customarily non-spectator and non-athlete friendly sport. A total prize money list of $11,000 will be awarded to the top ten overall finishers with $3,053 going to the first place finisher. No appearance money, travel, housing or per diem will be provided to the athletes.

All individual performances are scored on a ten-point scale against the world record standard with athletes competing against others in their respective events and all athletes in the meet. Scoring is updated following each event with the order of events determined based on the quality of the field in each event. A scoring tabulation system provides results to spectators on the stadium scoreboard and public address.

"This meet format has been twice previously tested with positive responses from the athletes for its innovation, fairness of competition and recognition of achievement through the prize money format," said Invaders President Greg Harger. He added, "We look forward to showcasing the Invaders athletes at one of the nation's finest track venues and look forward to working with Fifth Third Bank in building this annual community event.

Fifth Third Bank is very proud to be associated with the Indiana Invaders and this inaugural event," said Mike Alley, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank, Indiana. "As the hardest working bank in the business, we understand the value and dedication, hard work and commitment and recognize these traits in some of the hardest working individuals in track and field, the Indiana Invaders."

Meet registration is available only on-line at:

http://www.indianainvaders.com/meets/registration.asp

For general information, please contact Greg Harger.

-II-