OPENING KICKOFF Almost seven months ago COVID-19 hit our country hard and all of us have been challenged in ways that we could not have expected. Through the unknowns, the twists and turns of both business and societal conditions, we have had to change our everyday way of life. We shifted from an in-person work environment to working from home and video calls. At the Bowl, we have postponed some events and have had to change how we do others. In addition to health fears of COVID-19 and the general unknown, we have emotionally charged social issues as well.
FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER
We will get through this, look for opportunities and learn as we face adversity. At the Fiesta Bowl, we have ramped up our activities to move ahead with some of our existing programs, been creative to implement new initiatives and continue to plan for our major year-end events, with necessary adjustments. Through the challenges we have faced in the past seven months, I still feel we are fortunate for what we have. I appreciate the strength of this organization even more. WE ARE FIESTA! We will have a flurry of activity over the next few months. Like in many past years, we will have multiple events happening in the same week. You will read about some of them in this newsletter and more to come. I’m happy to see our calendars filling up with community events that support our teachers, nonprofits, college football fans and so many more. I hope to see you joining us along the way. Thank you for your support.
VOLUME 12
Mike Nealy Executive Director
NEWS & NOTES WIShES FOR TEACHERS Do you know a teacher? Are you a teacher? We have a shiny apple for Arizona’s K-12 public and charter school teachers with the support of our new title partner in Desert Financial Credit Union. The fifth annual Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program honors, celebrates and supports Arizona’s teachers. Applications are accepted through October 16 for Arizona teachers to apply for a $2,500 classroom wish. Visit WishesForTeachers.org for more information and to apply. In its four years, Wishes for Teachers granted over $3.2 million to Arizona teachers, and Desert Financial Credit Union will have an increased role this year. The company, which was founded by 15 Arizona educators with $78.75 in 1939, has been an active supporter for the last two years and has a deep history of community impact. APPLY TODAY!
play. support. win. Q
Rolling along is the Fiesta Bowl’s Her Hidden Highness presented by Arizona Lottery progressive 50/50 raffle. The jackpot is over $7,000 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 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 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 year alone. PLAY TODAY!
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The Fiesta Bowl has partnered with Arizona Lottery and BHHS Legacy Foundation to provide personal protective equipment to teachers across the state as they prepare to return to the classroom. Through this effort, 50,000 masks will be distributed to teachers across Arizona, including a driveup distribution in Phoenix (October 20), Flagstaff (October 22) and Tucson (October 26). In addition to the drive-up distribution
events, the Fiesta Bowl will coordinate pickup and delivery options in for other cities and rural areas of Arizona. As part of the drive-up events, Fiesta Bowl Charities will randomly award $10,000 in Golden Tickets, a DonorsChoose gift card ($100-$500 each) for teachers to use in their classrooms.
Drive-Up Locations PH OEN IX
October 20 | 3:00-5:00PM Camelview Elementary School 2002 E Campbell Ave Phoenix, AZ 85016
F I E S TA B O W L . O R G
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October 22 | 4:00-6:00PM Flagstaff High School 400 W Elm Ave Flagstaff, AZ 86001
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October 26 | 4:00-6:00PM Amphi High School 125 W Yavapai Rd Tucson, AZ 85705
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NEWS & NOTES POD IT UP We hope you haven’t missed the distinguished roster of guests on the Fiesta Bowl Football Focus Podcast. We visited with College Football Hall of Fame coach Mack Brown, who guided Texas to the 2009 Fiesta Bowl title, along with key players from the classic 2003 Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Miami. This week, in advance of this weekend’s Oklahoma vs. Texas matchup in the Red River Rivalry we have Oklahoma Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and Texas Athletics Director Chris Del Conte in a preview conversation that also has some humorous stories. Enjoy our series-long conversations with 2019 Arizona Bank & Trust Kickoff Luncheon speaker Urban Meyer, College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock, two-time Cactus Bowl coach Mike Leach, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby and longtime Ohio State and Arizona State Athletics Director Gene Smith. Go to iTunes, Google Play or Spotify on your phone and search for FIESTA BOWL FOOTBALL FOCUS or click here to subscribe and listen to the conversations with some of college football’s finest. SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
Empowering Diversity Scholarship Winners Supporting their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the Fiesta Bowl Organization and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona created the firstever Empowering Diversity Scholarship, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Fiesta Bowl. The total of $80,000 in awards will support Arizona minority residents who attend or plan to attend in-state, post-secondary institutions. Sixteen recipients were selected, each receiving a $5,000 grant for their higher education. Please click here to learn about the winners. Applicants are in their senior year of high school or college students attending an Arizona post-secondary institution (including community colleges) to be eligible. Other requirements include that applicants must be a minority, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and have completed a minimum of 50 community service hours to benefit their communities.
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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
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Brad Smidt Senior Vice President, Greater Phoenix Economic Council First Year as Volunteer: 2015
Why I Serve the Fiesta Bowl: Because I love college football and as a native Arizonan I want to give back to the community in a fun and meaningful way. I make every attempt to attend the events we hold with our nonprofit charity recipients.
First Year as Yellow Jacket Committee Member: 2015 Favorite Fiesta Bowl Game: As a UofA alum, watching the ‘Cats play Boise State on New Year’s Eve in 2014, as well as attending the 2001 Fiesta Bowl and watching Oregon State beat up on Notre Dame. I still remember hearing the “O-S-U…Oregon State – fight, fight, fight” chants! Most Memorable Moment: The first year I stepped on the Fiesta Bowl game field as a VIP hospitality team member and hearing the crowd and the players running past me was unforgettable!
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Favorite Job: Definitely VIP Hosting on the field. I love seeing the looks on the guests’ faces when they stop on the field. I’m really excited to be the Chair of this year’s PNC Fiesta Bowl Par 3 Challenge presented by Chapman Automotive. Interesting fact: Other than college football (and golf), my other favorite sport is ice hockey. Even at my age I’m still on the ice once a week playing on an ice hockey team.
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NEWSWORTHY
Fiesta Bowl 50th anniversary: Penn State dominates 1980s ARIZONA REPUBLIC
How the Fiesta Bowls Shaped the Modern Boise State THE ARBITER
Family Promise Illuminates Positive Light VALLEY INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS
F I E S TA B O W L . O R G
“Wishes for Teachers” is accepting applications for 200 Arizona teachers ARIZONA’S FAMILY 3TV
Wishes for Teachers Builds Bridge to Close Arizona Classroom Funding VALLEY INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS
Teacher Feature: Karen Sampson FIESTABOWL.ORG
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CONTACT US
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 2 5 | AN ASH @ FIESTABOWL .ORG
FOLLOW US
FI E STA BO W L .O R G
PG 8
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