Cooper Tire Announces Official Sponsorship of 2000 Butkus Award.

Business Editors, Automotive & Sports Writers 

FINDLAY, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 2000

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (NYSE:CTB) announces they are the official sponsor of the 2000 Butkus Award(R) for the second consecutive year.

This prestigious award recognizes the nation's top collegiate linebacker and is presented annually by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc.

Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios City Walk plans to host the 2000 Butkus Award Gala on Friday, December 8, 2000. Created in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc., the Butkus Award is highly regarded as one of the most elite individual honors in college football.

Presenting the award again this year is John Fahl, executive vice president

and president of Cooper Tire's global tire operations. "Cooper Tire is proud to sponsor the 2000 Butkus Award again," comments Fahl. "Collegiate athletics encompasses the true essence of amateur athleticism and we are proud to support the hard work and sacrifices these men make every day."

Also attending the prestigious black tie ceremony will be top company officials and a select group of independent Cooper Tire dealers. "College sports require student athletes to excel in a learning environment, allowing them to be the best at what they do," adds Fahl. "This philosophy is similar to ours. Every person at Cooper Tire, along with our team of dealers, excels in a learning environment, allowing us to successfully compete in the tire industry."

"Like the eminent winner of this prestigious award, Cooper Tire looks forward to facing the necessary challenges on the road to victory," concludes Fahl.

Cooper Tire specializes in the manufacture of replacement tires for the automotive aftermarket industry with five tire manufacturing facilities in the United States and abroad. Cooper produces seven proprietary brands, including Cooper, Avon, Mastercraft, Starfire, Roadmaster, Dean, and Dominator. In addition, Cooper is one of the largest private label tire suppliers to the North American replacement market. Cooper is a growing supplier to the world tire market with dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries.

Company Description

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is headquartered in Findlay, Ohio and specializes in the manufacture and marketing of automotive products. Products for Cooper's tire group include automotive, motorcycle and truck tires, inner tubes, tread rubber and equipment. In the automotive group, Cooper is an original equipment supplier of sealing, trim, NVH control systems and fluid handling systems for the automotive industry in North America, Europe, Australia and South America. Cooper has more than 23,000 employees and 63 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries. For more information, visit the Company's web site at: www.coopertire.com.