MISSION VIEJO : College, Pepsi Close to Scoreboard Deal

Saddleback Community College District trustees have voted to install a new $37,500 scoreboard at Saddleback College’s baseball field.

None of the money will come from the college district’s coffers because officials have struck a tentative deal with PepsiCo Inc. that gives the soda company exclusive rights as soda supplier at Saddleback College in exchange for the scoreboard.

Harriett Walther was the only trustee opposed to the action taken Monday, saying: “Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s right.”

Walther said that the current 15-year-old scoreboard was probably “getting kind of shabby” but that she would rather see such money spent for books or student scholarships.

Other trustees, however, supported the arrangement and said it would provide the college with a piece of badly needed equipment. Pepsi will have exclusive soda rights for five years.

“It affords us something we couldn’t afford otherwise,” said Trustee John Williams. “I think it’s a wise decision.”

District spokeswoman Diane Riopka said Tuesday that trustees are expected to approve the contract with PepsiCo next month.

During Monday’s meeting, district Chancellor Robert A. Lombardi told trustees that giving a company exclusive rights to sell products in return for equipment such as scoreboards is not a new practice.

“This is a very common occurrence now at colleges,” Lombardi said.