The 2002 Choice Hotels U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships, held in Memphis, Tenn. Nov. 20-24, raised $12,500 for the St. Jude Children`s Research Hospital - more than any other single U.S. OPEN and reaching a $100,575 milestone in the event`s seven-year fundraising history for St. Jude`s.

The St. Jude Children`s Research Hospital, the U.S. OPEN`s designated charity, was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962. The St. Jude Children`s Research Hospital is one of the world`s premier centers for research and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children, primarily pediatric cancers.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH), the “Official Hotel Partner” of the United States Racquetball Association (USRA), is the title sponsor of the U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships, the largest and most prestigious racquetball tournament in the world.

Founded by the USRA in 1996 and held each November at the Racquet Club of Memphis, the U.S. OPEN has become the largest and most prestigious racquetball tournament in the world. The U.S. OPEN features over 700 top-level skill and age-group athletes vying for the largest prize money purse of the season on the world`s only made-for-TV portable stadium racquetball court.

“The great work done by St. Jude`s deserves our support and Choice Hotels is proud to play a small role in helping families who are facing very difficult challenges,” said Wayne W. Wielgus, senior vice president, marketing for Choice Hotels. “It is our goal to push this support even higher with the 2003 Choice Hotels U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships.”

Choice Hotels franchises more than 5,000 hotels open and under development under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brand names in 46 countries. For more information on Choice Hotels, visit the company`s internet site at www.choicehotels.com.

——-