Entravision KPMR-TV ‘Copa Univision Costa Central’.

The first annual Copa Univision Costa Central, presented by PUMA North America and covered by KPMR-TV Univision 38, was center stage for soccer fans last weekend, pitting two of the areas best teams against each other in the championship game. Over 5,000 fans attended the tournament, which began on Saturday, September 25th and ended with the championship game on Sunday, September 26th, at Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium. Other tournament sponsors included Southern California Ford Dealers, Carl’s Jr., Santa Barbara City College, Blue Casa Communications, Santa Barbara News-Press, Don Regan for U.S. Congress and Cumulus Radio. KPMR-TV sports anchor and host of the tournament, Armando Romero, El Senor de los Deportes, will also host a half hour special on Saturday, October 2, 2004 at 10:30AM and Sunday, October 3, 2004 at 6:00 p.m., featuring highlights from the tournament, the championship game and awards ceremony.

Culminating the two-day tournament, local soccer fans witnessed local teams, Santa Barbara’s Durango Soccer Club and Santa Maria Valley’s Jiquilpan, battle it out in the championship game. Winning 5-1, Santa Barbara’s Durango Soccer Club was crowned champion of the inaugural Copa Univision Costa Central and Durango teammate Carlos Aguilera was named MVP.

Chris Roman, General Manger of KPMR-TV Univision 38 and KTSB-LP TeleFutura 43, said “Copa Univision Costa Central is a great example of how local television stations and businesses can work together to provide the community with exciting entertainment for the whole family. We thank PUMA North America and all the sponsors for working with us to bring this tournament to our viewers.”

John Romo, President of Santa Barbara City College added, “The success of Copa Univision Costa Central exceeded our highest expectations and we are happy we could help bring the residents of the Central Coast region together to share in their passion for soccer. We are happy that Santa Barbara City College could provide the stage for this event.”