Opening Kickoff “Actions not Words” is a timeless mantra and is as important now as ever. It is easy to deliver captivating promises and declarations. Unfortunately, too often actions do not follow. Four years ago, we documented our Excellence Every Day values and principles. We used each letter in FIESTA as an acronym to remind us of what is important in our every day actions. Recently, we added “Actions not Words” as part of the ‘A,’ alongside accountable and appreciative. As a person, organization or brand, what you do, not what you say, defines who you are.
FIESTA BOWL ORGAN I Z AT I O N N E WS L E T T ER
We are proud that the Fiesta Bowl is an organization that leads by actions. In addition to hosting great college football games, we lead through charitable giving, service hours by our volunteers and staff, impactful events and a will-do mindset. The Fiesta Bowl has pushed forward to produce at higher levels year after year. The challenges faced by COVID-19 did not stop us and proved even further how we lead in challenging times. Our newest example is the first-ever Path to the Summit that we are staging in May. Knowing we still have a shortage of underrepresented groups in college athletics leadership positions, we have invited assistant football coaches and athletic administrators from underrepresented groups to partake in learning opportunities and networking with the leaders who attend our Spring Summit. This unique opportunity aims to increase interactions and hence, the hiring prospects for qualified candidates. Identifying areas of need and then applying actions toward meeting those needs, instead of just talking about it, is what’s expected from leaders. Thank you for joining and supporting us on this journey. Along the way, don’t forget to have fun. We are Fiesta!
Volume 19
NEWS & NOTES Better to Give Than Receive The Fiesta Bowl is well-known for its charitable giving, and Arizona nonprofits may now apply for grants in the 2021-22 season at FiestaBowl.org/GrantCycle through Monday, May 31, with a 5 p.m. sharp deadline. Fiesta Bowl Charities donated a record $5.5 million during the 2020-21 season, $16 million in the last five years and $21 million in the last 10 years. To help the nonprofit recipient make the most impact possible, Fiesta Bowl Charities offers funding in three levels: Spirit of the Fiesta Bowl Grant at $100,000, Touchdown Grant at $50,000 and the Field Goal Grant at $25,000. All proposals must provide services within the Fiesta Bowl’s core pillars of youth, sports and education and all applicants must be an Arizona 501©(3) organization.
Tickets, Who Needs Tickets? Nearly halfway through 2021, preparations for Bowl Season on the field are underway. PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl season ticket members went through their early renewal period and, those who wish, are in the process of upgrading their seat locations. PlayStation Fiesta Bowl tickets will be available for the general public starting on Monday, May 10. Benefits of purchasing early are to secure your preferred seat location for what will be the top college football matchup in the state of Arizona and to lock in your seat location for the 2022-23 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. Visit FiestaBowl.org/Tickets for more information and to purchase your seats.
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FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 19
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PLAY. WIN. SUPPORT. CURRENT JACKPOT $14,200 Rolling along is the Fiesta Bowl’s Her Hidden Highness presented by Arizona Lottery progressive 50/50 raffle. The jackpot is at $14,200 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. The first of its kind by an Arizona sports property, similar raffles across the county have seen multi-million dollar payouts. 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 PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl and the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, as well as community events throughout the year, Fiesta Bowl Charities has given more than $21 million across the state of Arizona in the last 10 years, including $5.5 million in 2020-21 alone.
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NEWS & NOTES Champs Finish Spring Ball When we last saw the Iowa State Cyclones, they were on the stage at State Farm Stadium hoisting the Fiesta Bowl trophy after a 34-17 win over Oregon in the 50th Anniversary PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl. In the school’s best-ever season, first New Year’s Six Bowl game appearance and Big 12 regular season champion, the Cyclones have taken that next step. Arizona native Brock Purdy won the game’s Offensive Player of the Game, Breece Hall is arguably the nation’s top running back and 19 of 22 starters are projected to return for the 2021 season. High hopes for the defending PlayStation Fiesta Bowl champions come the Fall. Here’s some food for thought. The last time a non-CFP Semifinal Fiesta Bowl champion hit the field the subsequent season, that team won the National Championship. As they say… #JustSayin READ MORE
Nfl Draft Has Fiesta Flair PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl alumni were prominent in the 2021 NFL Draft, even reuniting their college success on the same NFL team rosters. For the second straight year, a PlayStation Fiesta Bowl quarterback was the first overall selection. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, the 2019 Offensive Player of the Game, was picked by Jacksonville to guide the Jaguars’ offense following a stellar career with the Tigers. Later in the opening round, Clemson running back Travis Etienne also heard his name called by Jacksonville with the 25th overall pick. With the fifth overall pick, former LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was picked by Cincinnati to provide highlights alongside his former LSU quarterback and 2020 #1 Overall Pick Joe Burrow. The duo helped LSU to a 40-32 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl win over UCF in January 2019. Overall, 18 Fiesta Bowl alumni were chosen in the NFL Draft, along with Guaranteed Rate Bowl alumni Trevon Moerig and Camryn Bynum who played in TCU’s 10-7 overtime win over Cal in 2018 in downtown Phoenix. PG 4
FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 19
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY Nine community leaders followed their dreams to create the Fiesta Bowl, with the NCAA granting a charter on April 26, 1971, to make the Fiesta Bowl the 12th bowl in college football’s postseason. To celebrate that historic moment, a special website FiestaBowl.org/Fiesta50 was created to highlight the Bowl’s storied history. Please visit the site to enjoy inside stories and to re-live some of the greatest moments that college football has ever seen: •
Birth of the Bowl
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Top 50 Lists, including Players/Coaches, Plays/Moments, All-Decade Teams
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Top games in Fiesta Bowl history
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ASU’s influence on the Fiesta Bowl
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Videos of historical moments
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Specific merchandise with Fiesta Bowl 50th Anniversary branding
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Fiesta Bowl Football Focus Podcast episodes, including guests Urban Meyer, Mack Brown, 2003 Fiesta Bowl players from Ohio State & Miami and more
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Fiesta Bowl history
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NEWS & NOTES From Football To Esports While spring football was played on college campuses across the country, the Fiesta Bowl moved the competition from the gridiron to the virtual battleground with the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Esports Showdown. Open to Arizona residents and students, two tournaments offered thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes, in addition to exclusive Fiesta Bowl experiences. Arizona high school students competed in Rocket League for scholarships and prizes, with the Brophy College Prep duo of Jman and Veil coming out on top in the arena. In the Call of Duty: Warzone division for Arizonans 18 years and older, first place went to Thick and IPayMyTaxes, who earned cash prizes and Fiesta Bowl VIP experiences for their victory. Look for more esports activity from the Fiesta Bowl!
Empowering Diversity Continuing their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Fiesta Bowl and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona will host the second annual Empowering Diversity Scholarship to support Arizona minority residents with their educational goals. A GED Track scholarship will cover fees associated with the assessment and additional program support services provided by College Depot. The Postsecondary Track is open to students in their senior year of high school or college students attending an Arizona postsecondary institution. Application period is from May 10-28 and more information can be found at Fiestabowl.org/DiversityScholarship.
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FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 19
By the numbers
F I E S TA B O W L . O R G
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Andy Western Partner, Osborn Maledon Favorite Fiesta Bowl Game: The first Fiesta Bowl I attended. I was 11 years old and attended the 1995 Fiesta Bowl (#4 Colorado vs. Notre Dame) at Sun Devil Stadium. The game itself wasn’t all that close but the atmosphere and sights and sounds are things that I can vividly remember. Notre Dame, led by Lou Holtz, wore their lucky green jerseys. Colorado’s high-powered offense was led by Kordell Stewart, Heisman Trophy Winner Rashaan Salaam, and Michael Westbrook. Favorite Fiesta Bowl Moment: Boise State’s Statue of Liberty play in 2007 is still one of the greatest college football moments I have ever seen. Why I Serve the Fiesta Bowl: It’s all about the people. We have incredible men and women who serve as our staff, Yellow Jackets, Ambassadors and volunteers. We get to host and interact with the greatest college PG 8
football coaches, players, and fans. And we are able to support amazing Arizonans who are doing vital charitable work in our communities. Favorite Job: Without a doubt, serving as the Game Operations Chair for the 2019 season. I started as a Game Ops volunteer before I was a Yellow Jacket and then worked my way up the committee. The Yellow Jackets and volunteers that produce our games each year are an awesome group of men and women. Interesting fact: My grandfather, Pat Flood, was part of the officiating crew for two Fiesta Bowls. He was the Back Judge for the 1995 Fiesta Bowl (#4 Colorado vs. Notre Dame) and he was the Referee for the 1996 Fiesta Bowl (#1 Nebraska vs. #2 Florida).
FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 19
NEWSWORTHY
Fiesta Bowl celebrating NCAA certification 50 years ago ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Inaugural Fiesta Bowl esports competition kicks off GLENDALE STAR
Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Helps Complete Library Makeover NORTH TATUM TIMES
F I E S TA B O W L . O R G
Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Kindness Arizona Tour AZTV
Special Education Classroom Receives Upgrade Courtesy of Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities EPIC KIDS AZ
Desert Financial and Fiesta Bowl Charities Help North 32nd Integrated Classrooms Stay Artistic NORTH 32ND NEWS
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