OPENING KICKOFF Congratulations to Iowa State, our 2021 PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl champion. Now that it’s February, we plan for the year ahead and recognize Black History Month. Some of history’s most significant moments are honored during Black History Month. At the Fiesta Bowl, that includes celebrating the accomplishments of Dr. Morrison Warren, who was Fiesta Bowl President in 1981, becoming the first Black president of a Bowl game. Dr. Warren was a key figure in the Fiesta Bowl moving to January 1, a prime position we continue to hold proudly. He brought people together, from all walks of life, whether on the football field, in school hallways or at home as a father.
FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER
His legacy lives on through one of his sons, Kevin, who followed in his father’s footsteps to join the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors in 2004, was named Big Ten Conference Commissioner in 2019, the first African-American to hold that position in a Power Five Conference, after serving as the first Black Chief Operating Officer of an NFL team, with the Minnesota Vikings. The Fiesta Bowl continues to promote diversity and seek where we can do more. This past year, alongside Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, we created an Empowering Diversity Scholarship program to provide resources for 16 minority students. As a partner of NACDA’s John McLendon Minority Foundation, we are honored to provide scholarship and educational opportunities and advocacy in college athletics. Moving forward, we are looking to offer an add-on program this Spring that would serve our next chapter of minority college athletics administrators and head coaches by connecting them with current industry leaders. Amidst the challenges, there is so much for us to celebrate and achieve. Thank you for being partners with the Fiesta Bowl in this journey together.
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Mike Nealy Executive Director
NEWS & NOTES Become A Yellow Jacket Today If you want to make an impact within the Arizona community and be a part of college football’s top games, becoming a Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee Member could be right for you. We are looking for community leaders who enjoy volunteerism, community service and fundraising to help the Fiesta Bowl enhance the lives of Arizonans. One reason that the Fiesta Bowl is so successful is the talented and dedicated group of volunteers who give of themselves to create memories for so many. From now through February 12, the Fiesta Bowl is accepting applications for the next class of Yellow Jacket Committee members. APPLY TODAY
Gaming Time! The Fiesta Bowl first entered the world of esports in 2018, creating the Fiesta Bowl Overwatch Collegiate National Championship in partnership with Blizzard Entertainment. It was the first time a college football organization had entered into esports. This year, the Fiesta Bowl will host the Fiesta Bowl Esports Showdown, with a competition for high school-only aged gamers and a different game for those 18 and older. Tournament play will begin in mid-March, with registration scheduled to open on March 1. Full details will be announced soon, including registration, timing and prizes.
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CURRENT JACKPOT $12,082 PLAY. WIN. SUPPORT. Rolling along is the Fiesta Bowl’s Her Hidden Highness presented by Arizona Lottery progressive 50/50 raffle. The jackpot is over $12,000 and continues to grow each week, as the Queen of Hearts is still hidden. In addition to the jackpot, there are weekly payouts of 15 percent of the weekly sales. There are various tickets levels to increase chances to win by visiting www.FiestaBowlRaffle.com to play, ante up to win and support Fiesta Bowl Charities. Half of the entry pool benefits Fiesta Bowl Charities, which supports Arizona nonprofit organizations in the areas of youth, sports and education. Through its two annual bowl games in the Valley, the PlayStationŽ Fiesta Bowl and the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, as well as community events throughout the year, Fiesta Bowl Charities has given more than $16.5 million across the state of Arizona in the last nine years, including $4 million in 2019-20 year alone.
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NEWS & NOTES Super Fiesta When tuning into the Super Bowl on Sunday to watch defending champion Kansas City face a new-look Tampa Bay team, fans of recent PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl games will notice some familiar faces. LSU used contributions from linebacker Devin White (Tampa) and running back/returner Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Kansas City) en route to a win in the 2019 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. White’s defensive teammate Vita Vea played in the 2017 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl as a member of the Washington Huskies and Clemson’s Dorian O’Daniel was a linebacker in the 2016 CFP Semifinal win over Ohio State before being drafted by the Chiefs. Alumni of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl playing this weekend include Kansas City’s Anthony Hitchens (Iowa, 2011), Le’Veon Bell (Michigan State, 2012), Frank Clark (Michigan, 2013) and Bryon Pringle (Kansas State, 2017). On the other side of the ball, Tampa’s Blaine Gabbert (Missouri, 2010) and William Gholston (Michigan State, 2012) played postseason games in the Valley of the Sun.
Spruce up your car The Fiesta Bowl Organization and the Arizona Department of Transportation have created a custom Arizona license plate with Fiesta Bowl branding. Featuring the recognizable sunburst logo and Fiesta Bowl wordmark, the plates can be ordered at azmvdnow.az.gov. There are non-personalized and personalized (six-character limit) versions available, in addition to a disability Fiesta Bowl plate. For every sale of the specialty plate, $17 of the proceeds support Fiesta Bowl Charities and programs across the state of Arizona that support youth, sports and education. BUY NOW
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY To celebrate its storied history that began with a vision from nine community leaders in 1971, the Fiesta Bowl has unveiled a special logo and other initiatives to commemorate its 50th Anniversary season.
The logo includes the Bowl’s trademark sunburst and script, along with a large 50 and five “laces” on a football, to signify the five decades the Fiesta Bowl has been in existence. It was widely seen as the 50-yard marker on the field during the 50th playing of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between Iowa State and Oregon on January 2, 2021.
Here is a snapshot of some activities the Fiesta Bowl will do to commemorate its 50th Anniversary: • Top 50 Lists, including Players/Coaches, Plays/Moments, Facts, All-Decade Teams • Dedication of Fiesta Bowl Play at Hance Park as part of Hance Park revitalization project • Specific merchandise with Fiesta Bowl 50th Anniversary branding • 50-year Season Ticket Member appreciation event at Ziegler Fiesta Bowl Museum • Fiesta Bowl Football Focus Podcast episodes, including guests Urban Meyer, Jared Zabransky, Mack Brown, 2003 Fiesta Bowl players from Ohio State & Miami and more • Volunteer Appreciation Party at Sun Devil Stadium for volunteers from all 50 years • Fiesta Bowl-branded license plate for sale through AZDOT • Editorial pieces from local media outlets to highlight the Fiesta Bowl’s historic moments
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NEWS & NOTES Iowa State is Golden with 50th Anniversary PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Victory The 50th Anniversary of the Fiesta Bowl was indeed historic. In a matchup that was the first-ever between No. 25 Oregon and No. 10 Iowa State, the Cyclones hit the Fiesta Bowl field for the first time in school history after their most successful regular season ever. To add some more excitement, both starting quarterbacks were Arizona high school stars – the first time in PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl history that both starting quarterbacks were Arizona natives. The Cyclones made the most of playing in the biggest game in program history, its first-ever New Year’s Six Bowl, defeating the Ducks 34-17 behind solid play on both sides of the ball. Gilbert Perry High School alumni and Offensive Player of the Game Brock Purdy went 20-of-29 passing for 156 yards and a touchdown, with 39 rushing yards and another score. Star running back Breece Hall carried the ball 34 times (one short of the Bowl record) for 136 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, linebacker Mike Rose picked off his fifth ball of the season while fellow linebacker O’Rien Vance racked up four tackles, one for loss and recovered two fumbles en route to Defensive Player of the Game honors.
WATCH RECAP
Play for Years at Hance Park As part of the Fiesta Bowl’s celebration of its 50th Anniversary, the organization jumped into the Margaret T. Hance Park revitalization project with the 20,000-square-foot Fiesta Bowl PLAY at Hance Park playground that opened on December 15. This is the centerpiece of the park renovation’s opening phase and was made possible thanks to a $2 million legacy gift from the Fiesta Bowl and supporting partners Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, BHHS Legacy Foundation and Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZ-STA). Fiesta Bowl PLAY features a climbing wall, a separate net climbing structure, a water mist play feature and a sand play area positioned under a shade canopy. Its other unique amenities include three animal-themed play structures – a Kit Fox, Black-Tailed Jackrabbit and Great-Horned Owl. The animal play structures are made of 95 percent recycled plastic lumber and are GreenCircle Certified. The Hance Park Partner Coalition is led by the Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA), Hance Park Conservancy and City of Phoenix.
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FIESTA BOWL TOP 50 When you have a storied history like the Fiesta Bowl, you celebrate. Part of that celebration is the recognition of the memorable moments that have contributed to the Bowl’s legacy. The Fiesta Bowl announced a series of Top 50 Lists and All-Decade Teams. Take a look back at the key performances that vaulted the Fiesta Bowl into college football’s elite circles, and into the “The Greatest Bowl Games in College Football History.”
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Denise Seomin,
Director of Marketing Communications/PR at The Phoenician First Year as Volunteer: 2009 First Year as Yellow Jacket Committee Member: 2009 First Year as Board of Directors Member: 2016 Favorite Fiesta Bowl Game: As an avid Ohio State fan, it must be the 2003 double-overtime classic between Miami and my Buckeyes. We all know what happened and it was a joyous victory! I was there, and even went home with part of the turf (it was handed to me, I promise!). Most Memorable Moment: Reconnecting with the many media who have covered the Fiesta Bowl over the years, with whom I worked during my early days in sports publicity. Some of these individuals I have not seen in more than 20 years. PG 8
Why I Serve the Fiesta Bowl: I have a deep-rooted passion for community service. There is no better feeling than knowing you helped to make a difference. I enjoy being involved in an organization comprised of like-minded individuals, from all walks of life, who are truly family. Favorite Job: I’ve been fortunate to serve in a lot of roles but the one I really enjoy the most is serving as one of the moderators for the gameweek press conferences. I enjoy getting to know the coaches and studentathletes, connecting again with some coaches and sports information directors I’ve worked with in the past, and assisting the media as well. Interesting fact: I used to serve as a spotter in the booth for NBC telecasts of Houston Oilers games.
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NEWSWORTHY
Valley Visionary and Father of Fiesta Bowl Recalls Fortunate Life FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE
Teacher Feature: Christy Herndon FIESTABOWL.ORG
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl wins for best gift for Oregon, Iowa State players: a PS5 USATODAY FOR THE WIN
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Fiesta Bowl 2021: ‘… And the cutouts go wild!’ GLENDALE STAR
Not a full Fiesta Bowl experience, but Cyclones embrace opportunity ahead DES MOINES REGISTER
Watching brother win Fiesta Bowl a special moment for Florida State’s Chubba Purdy ARIZONA PBS/CRONKITE NEWS
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