New York, NY, March 9, 2004 - This week's SPORTS ILLUSTRATED highlights the sports scene in the state of North Carolina, marking the 34th of 50 state-specific sections to be published in the magazine as part of SI's yearlong 50th Anniversary celebration.

Identifying the ACC Tournament as a sporting event unique to the state, the six-page feature also includes an accompanying essay by seven-time Daytona 500 champion Richard Petty , plus a wide range of facts, figures and photographs highlighting the most memorable moments and personalities that have shaped the state's sports landscape.

The North Carolina edition begins hitting newsstands on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 . Newsstand copies in North Carolina will feature a cover-flap identifying the special state section.

Highlights from the special section include:

• One of the hottest tickets in sports is for the ACC Tournament, an event dominated by North Carolina schools for 50 years, explains Seth Davis in " Not to be Missed ."
• In " NASCAR's King ," Richard Petty writes on how stock cars sped to the forefront in his home state.
• The Poll: North Carolinians weigh in on their state's sports scene in a Harris Interactive poll that found these results:

o Favorite major league baseball team.....Atlanta Braves (27%)
o Favorite NFL team.......Carolina Panthers (35%)
o Favorite NBA team.......Los Angeles Lakers (10%)
o Favorite NHL team.......Carolina Hurricanes (35%)
o Favorite sport to participate in.....Golf (22%)

• Enemy of the State: Bobby Bowden , (18%). The Florida State football coach has now been named Enemy in both Carolinas. Respondents' most hated opponents: Bowden's Seminoles (26%), Krzyzewski's Duke Blue Devils (15%) and the universities of, yes, North Carolina (7%) and Maryland (7%).
• Greatest Moment - Editor's pick: Avenging its only loss of the season, North Carolina State-led by forward David Thompson's 28 points-snapped UCLA's streak of seven straight national titles by defeating Bill Walton and the Bruins 80-77 in double overtime in the NCAA semifinals on March 23, 1974, in Greensboro. In an anticlimactic final two nights later, the Wolfpack easily beat Marquette to claim its first national title.

SI's 50th Anniversary program, America's Sports Illustrated: 50 Years, 50 States, 50 Sports, is a wide-ranging multimedia platform that is the most ambitious initiative in the history of the franchise. The grassroots effort, which began in July 2003 and continues through July 2004, is a yearlong celebration of sports in America. It will include editorial coverage in the magazine and online, a community sports outreach campaign with YMCA of the USA and the National Recreation and Park Association, as well as The Toyota Presents Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Tour that will travel to unique sports events and festivals in cities and towns throughout the country. SI's actual 50th anniversary date is August 16, 2004. Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Tour; Best Buy , MassMutual Financial Group and Starter are program sponsors.

Contacts: Rick McCabe, SI (212) 522-1375; Julie Sprich, Edelman (212) 522-9511