OPENING KICKOFF A few months ago, I wrote about how lucky I am when I walk into the Fiesta Bowl offices that I am immediately welcomed by smiling photos of our volunteer award winners. When I turn to the right toward my office, I pass a wall that features our core values under the header of ‘Excellence Every Day.’ Our core values guide our actions – as staff members or volunteers, what we expect of our vendors and partners, and how we conduct our daily business. For staff, it’s what I call our “condition of employment.”
FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER
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Focused, fiscally responsible
I
Integrity-based decisions
E
Enhance lives in all we do
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Support each other
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Treat others with dignity, respect; Timeliness matters
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Accountable and appreciative
These were born by a cross-section of staff, created as guidelines to build on the great work the Fiesta Bowl Organization does to an even higher level for all whom we serve. Really, it’s about personal responsibility. If each of us commits to these and raises the bar 1 percent more each day, the collective impact we make as an organization is multiplied. We’ve heard about the axiom referenced in the best-selling book: that water at 211 degrees is scalding hot but with just that effort of a one-degree increase, water boils at 212 degrees and turns into a gas/steam and can power a train. When we all take that extra step to live these core values, along with understanding one another and listening, we will produce meaningful accomplishments.
Mike Nealy Executive Director
NEWS & NOTES Community Champion The evaluation process for Fiesta Bowl Charities’ 2020-21 grant cycle is underway, to support Arizona nonprofits that contribute to the success of their communities through youth, sports and education. Through its two annual bowl games in the Valley, the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl and the Cactus 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 alone. Our full Community Impact Report showcases the organization’s activities in the 2019-20 season on and off the field.
VIEW HERE
Podding Along The Fiesta Bowl Football Focus Podcast continues to roll on with exciting conversations. In June, we launched a group chat to re-live the 2003 Fiesta Bowl game, with Miami’s Willis McGahee and Jonathan Vilma, along with Ohio State’s Mike Doss and Kenny Peterson, guest hosted by ESPN’s Allison Williams. Our newest interview shares the story of 1990 Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP Peter Tom Willis, who threw for a Fiesta Bowl record five TD passes in Florida State’s 41-17 win over Nebraska. The Seminoles beat eventual national champion Miami that year and finished the season ranked third. Go to iTunes, Google Play or Spotify on your phone and search for FIESTA BOWL FOOTBALL FOCUS or click below to subscribe and listen to the conversations with some of college football’s finest.
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Ace in the Hole Golf is a big part of life in Arizona, and we have a tournament unlike any other. Every hole features the chance to win a prize, including a chance at $1 Million, a new car or upwards of $100,000 in cash, at the Fiesta Bowl Par 3 Challenge, presented by Chapman Automotive. The scramble-style tournament is held at the picturesque Short Course at Mountain Shadows on October 29-30. Proceeds support Fiesta Bowl Charities. Limited spots available, so please click below to pick your session or for more information.
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PG 2
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2019-20 COMMUNITY IMPACT $11 MILLION IN CHARITABLE GIVING OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS
NEARLY 1 MILLION
12,000+ PEOPLE IMPACTED BY 6 NEW PLAYGROUNDS/ PLAY SPACES
PEOPLE SERVED
600,000+ YOUTH SERVED
$4 MILLION
IN CHARITABLE GIVING IN THE 2019-20 GRANT CYCLE
283,480 MEALS SERVED
SEASON RECAP VIDEO
F I E S TA B O W L . O R G
PG 3
NEWS & NOTES And the Winner Is… The Fiesta Bowl Organization has partnered with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) to present awards for exemplary service and future opportunities in the collegiate space. The Community Service Award recognizes Division I institutions, honoring exceptional athletics departments that make volunteerism and community service a way of life. Vanderbilt University in Nashville earned the honor after 350 student-athletes gave back to their community through Dancing Dores and Dance Marathon for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. A 13-hour event allows student-athletes to meet, play games and interact with Miracle Families with sick or injured children. In the months leading up to the event, athletic teams raise funds for the hospital. They raised $42,000 in pre-event fundraising and another $18,000 in 24 hours for match day. In addition, a John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded annually to a student associated with an Arizona-based four-year institution. Arizona State University’s Sophia Elenga, who plans to pursue a master’s in sport law and business this fall, is the winner after majoring in sport journalism and maintaining a 3.14 GPA. Elenga played basketball at ASU, where she was a three-time Sun Devil Scholar-Athlete.
READ MORE HERE
Jolly St. Nick Since being named Yellow Jacket Committee Chair, Nick Smith has adapted well to leading the 125-member Yellow Jacket Committee. The former University of Notre Dame linebacker has set the roadmap in place, despite not having any in-person meetings since he took the reigns this Spring. Virtual meetings have included guests such as Desmond Howard and Greg McElroy, and his positive attitude has been welcome in these challenging times. We had a Zoom Q&A with Nick to learn more about him and his approach to leading the Yellow Jacket Committee in the organization’s 50th season. You’ll enjoy hearing his philosophy, why the Yellow Jacket Committee is a special group and what clothing he pairs while wearing a Yellow Jacket.
WATCH NOW
PG 4
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NEWSWORTHY Cactus Bowl officials search for a new title sponsor PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL
Football Feature: Peter Tom Willis, 1990 Fiesta Bowl MVP FIESTABOWL.ORG
Did you know the $1.4 million Fiesta Bowl trophy was made in Arizona? FOX 10 PHOENIX
Largest game of freeze tag: world record set by Fiesta Bowl Charities WORLD RECORD ACADEMY
FORMER PLAYERS SHARE FRESH INSIGHTS, NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN FOOTAGE AND NEW STORIES FROM OHIO STATE’S 2003 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ELEVEN WARRIORS
Father’s Day Fiesta Bowl Family: Rick & Kailey Warren FIESTABOWL.ORG
Fiesta Bowl Sizzle Reel WATCH HERE
F I E S TA B O W L . O R G
PG 5
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Board Member, Director of Human Services, City of Phoenix Marchelle Franklin First Year as Board Member: 2018 Favorite Fiesta Bowl Game: 1976 on Christmas Day, for two reasons: it was my first Fiesta Bowl game and my uncle Lucious Selmon was the defensive coach for Oklahoma who played in the game that year. Most Memorable Moment: Related to the Fiesta Bowl, it had to be when I got the call from my dear friend and board member that she had nominated me for the board. I was very shocked to be considered for board membership to such a prestigious organization. Why I Serve the Fiesta Bowl: I serve the Fiesta Bowl because of the opportunity to volunteer my time, talents and resources for an organization that at its core believes in charitable support for our youth, who are the lifeblood of our communities. I can do so while having FUN and learning about all the intricate pieces that deliver world-class bowl games! Favorite Job: Chief of Staff for a former City of Phoenix Mayor; blessed to work with this great leader for eight years who brough significant change to the city, especially downtown. Interesting fact: I’m a NASCAR junkie! Phoenix Raceway twice a year is where you’ll find me. There’s something was on the search committee at the University of Massachusetts which hired John Calipari for his first head coaching job.
PG 6
F I E S TA B O W L O R G A N I Z AT I O N A L N E W S L E T T E R | V O L U M E 9
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S C OTT LE IGHTMAN
S E N IO R DIRECTOR OF COMMUN ICATION S 4 8 0 - 5 1 7 - 6 2 9 1 | SL EIGH TMAN @ FIESTABOWL .ORG
ALE X NAS H
CO M M UN ICATION S COORD IN ATOR 4 8 0 - 3 5 0 - 0 9 25 | AN ASH @ FIESTABOWL .ORG
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F I E S TA B O W L . O R G
PG 7