SPIRIT Volunteer Newsletter
march 2019
News and notes VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY Thank you for attending the 2019 Volunteer Appreciation Party! With unlimited games, food and fun, this event was a success and we hope you and your families enjoyed our new venue at Main Event Tempe. Click here to see photos from the event and the appreciation video!
FIESTA BOWL CHARITIES GRANT CYCLE OPENING SOON!
The 2019-20 Fiesta Bowl Charities grant cycle will begin accepting applications on April 8 and continue through May 7. Arizona nonprofits are invited to submit an application for review by the Fiesta Bowl Charities Charitable Giving Committee. The committee individually reviews each application and ensures that the three pillars of the Fiesta Bowl – youth, sports and education – are at the core of every decision. Over the last three years, the Fiesta Bowl has donated more than $7 million in charitable giving. Visit www.FiestaBowl.org/Charities for more information.
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ARIZONA JOINS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Fiesta Bowl organization has partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona for the leading healthcare insurance provider to become presenting partner of the Fiesta Bowl’s extensive year-round volunteer program. The partnership comes as part of BCBSAZ’s Mobilize AZ effort to inspire health in Arizona. Click here to learn more.
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volunteer opportunities FIESTA BOWL CHARITIES TO DONATE CHEEZ-IT ® BOWL FIELD
KABOOM! PLAYGROUND BUILD
Fiesta Bowl Charities will be unveiling its fourth field in Arizona. The game field from the Cheez-It® Bowl has been recycled and donated to the local Bullhead City community in need. DATE: Friday, March 15, 2019 LOCATION: Bullhead City Rotary Park 2315 Balboa Drive, Bullhead City, AZ 86442 ATTIRE: Fiesta Bowl branding (Yellow Jacket, Ambassador jacket or Charities T-shirt) TRANSPORTATION: Bus departs from Fiesta Bowl Museum at 9:45 AM and returns by 7:40 PM FOOD: Lunch and dinner will be provided
DATE: Saturday, March 23, 2019 LOCATION: Boys and Girls Club of Prescott 335 East Aubrey Street, Prescott, AZ 86303 SCHEDULE: 6:05 AM: Load the bus at Fiesta Bowl Museum 6:15 AM: Bus departs from Fiesta Bowl Museum 8:15 AM: Arrive at Prescott Boys and Girls Club, breakfast served on build site 8:30 AM: Build begins! 11:00 AM: Lunch! 2:00 PM: Completion/Ribbon Cutting ceremony 2:30 PM: Depart Prescott for Scottsdale 5:00 PM: Arrive at Fiesta Bowl Museum
REGISTER HERE
REGISTER HERE
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fiesta bowl spotlight a director at Kitchell, served as a sales coach to the committee to help the committee exceed its fundraising goals. Randi Knappenberger Ambassador of the Year Award: As the ambassador chair for the Wells Fargo Fiesta Bowl Par 3 Challenge, presented by Kadima.Ventures and Youth Football Clinic, Nicole Barrington impacted the Fiesta Bowl in many ways. Barrington is the Director of Events for Yello.
V O L U N T E E R S P O T L I G H T: George Leonard Rookie of the Year: As a first-year committee member, Sean Ward volunteered at nearly every Fiesta Bowl event while serving in leadership roles for the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade, presented by Cheez-It®, Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge, presented by Kadima.Ventures and on the Media Operations Committee. Outside of the Fiesta Bowl, Ward is the Vice President of Business Banking for BNC National Bank Fiesta Bowl Chair of the Year: As a chairman of the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl pregame parties, Walker Crowson was critical in the execution of this year’s Fan Fest and APS Stadium Club. A Yellow Jacket since 2016, Crowson is a Partner at Snell & Wilmer.
Glenn Hawkins Volunteer of the Year Award: A volunteer since 2009, Anthony Jefferson has dedicated himself to the Fiesta Bowl organization for the last 10 years. Jefferson, who continues to volunteer at almost every event, is known for his contagious smile and unbridled enthusiasm. Frank Snell Lifetime Achievement Award: Having attended every Fiesta Bowl game since 1973, Rob Drake is a three-time chair of the Alumni Hospitality Committee, served two terms on Executive Council, was chair of the Life Member Committee and a two-time Media Operations Committee Chair. Drake’s deepest impact is on the Media Operations Committee, sharing the experience with his two daughters and the family’s association with the Fiesta Bowl dates back to the early 1980s.
Outstanding Fiesta Bowl Committee Member of the Year: Instrumental in the success of many Fiesta Bowl events this season, Kirk McClure chaired the Wells Fargo Fiesta Bowl Par 3 Challenge, presented by Kadima.Ventures, served as officials’ liaison during the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl and Cheez-It® Bowl and was a VIP Host during game week. Additionally, McClure,
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fiesta bowl spotlight Cheez-It® Bowl & PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl Media Operations Chair: Marcus Seiler Recipient: Sarah Zelhart Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade, presented by Cheez-It® Chair: Kieron Flint Recipient: Brian Mallory California Team Hospitality Suite Chair: Danny Johnson Recipient: Matt Bradford
CH A IRM A N ’ S C H O I C E AWA RD S Running of the Bills Duck Race from March ‘18 Chair: Brian Bednar Recipient: Phil Handke Youth Football Clinic Chair: Brian Debnam Recipient: Lucas McDougall Wells Fargo Fiesta Bowl Par 3 Challenge, presented by Kadima.Ventures Chair: Kirk McClure Recipient: Brittany Wilson Oasis Pregame Party, presented by Cheez-It® Chair: Ed Olsen Recipient: Doug Miller
TCU Team Hospitality Suite Chair: Robert Simmons Recipient: Mike and Nate Sandler UCF Team Hospitality Suite Chair: Brad Smidt Recipient: Karen Casassa LSU Team Hospitality Suite Chair: Cathy Vix Recipient: Raymond Van Woelderen Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge, presented by Kadima.Ventures Chair: Eric Barkyoumb Recipient: Bob Cherner
PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl Pregame Parties Chair: Walker Crowson Recipient: Amy Ashbaugh Cheez-It® Bowl & PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl Game Operations Chair: Brian Bednar Recipient: Patrick Foster
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fiesta bowl spotlight PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT:
STAFF SPOTL IGH T: SUZIE WARRE N
Staff Member Since: 2015 Position at the Fiesta Bowl: Receptionist
Responsibilities: Answer phone calls, greet guests in the museum, sort and deliver mail, order supplies and pay bills. Suzie is also the Chair of the Safety Committee
BEHIND THE BOWL:
The Fiesta Bowl experienced great success during its first 10 years as a college football bowl game, featuring nine top 10 teams and nine coaches currently in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Hometown: Libertyville, Illinois Alma Mater: University of Illinois Favorite College Football Game: 1971 Fiesta Bowl - first and forever! Favorite Song: Mack the Knife because I can still see my parents swirling around the dance floor to it - the only song my dad would dance to!
This success would satisfy most organizations, but the Fiesta Bowl knew that to be considered a “major bowl” game, it must challenge tradition and join the established Cotton, Orange, Rose and Sugar Bowls on New Year’s Day.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? ELIZABETH FINKS
To lead this effort, the Fiesta Bowl turned to a man who dedicated his life to building bridgesDr. Morrison Warren - as its new board president, also becoming the first African-American to lead a major bowl.
Where Is She Now: Elizabeth joined Live Nation Entertainment in Marketing & Promotions in 2016 and moved to Javelina as an Events Intern. After, she became the Director of Events & Operations at Wolves Den Entertainment in 2016. Elizabeth is currently working in the greater Chicago area as an Agent Assistant at Monterey International, representing talent.
Click here to read more.
Intern Year: 2014-15 Department: Events
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What would you like to see in the next newsletter? Submit a request for any content you think would be a great addition to jhobson@fiestabowl.org