Sun Metro buses will operate direct routes from various locations around town. The routes will run from Downtown, East Side, West Side, Northeast, Mission Valley, and the El Paso Airport.
The drop-off site will be located near the Glory Road Transit Center, located on the north end of the Sun Bowl Stadium.
Return trips will begin at the end of the third quarter. Fans will be picked up at the same location as the drop-off site for each of the routes. All location schedules and hours are listed on the website.
The El Paso Streetcar will service all 27 stops along the uptown and downtown loops with a drop off location at the Glory Road Transit Center, also on the north end of the Sun Bowl Stadium.
Service hours and pick-up/drop-off locations can be found on the streetcar’s website.
The Streetcar is free to ride during this time.
The game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Arizona State Sun Devils will begin at 12:00 p.m.
PASSENGERS ARE REMINDED TO HAVE EXACT CHANGE FOR THE FAREBOX. While the farebox can issue change cards for use on Sun Metro services, drivers do not have access to currency.
Schedules and fares will vary depending on location.
IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER:
SUN METRO BUS SERVICE AND PARK+RIDE LOCATIONS
DOWNTOWN
Location: Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 West San Antonio Avenue
Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon
Frequency: Every 25 minutes until game time
Cost: $3 round-trip bus fare*
Parking: $10 per vehicle
Location: El Paso Convention Center, across from the Camino Real Hotel
Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon
Frequency: Every 25 minutes until game time
Cost: $3 round trip fare*
Parking: $10 per vehicle
EASTSIDE
Location: Eastside Transit Center, 1165 Sunmount Drive – near Cielo Vista Mall
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Frequency: Every 30 minutes until game time
Cost: $3 round-trip bus fare*
Parking: Free
Location: Edgemere Blvd. near R.C. Poe Rd. – One block west of Rich Beem Blvd.
Time: 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Cost: $3 round-trip bus fare*
Parking: Free
NORTHEAST
Location: Northgate Transit Center, 9348 Dyer
Time: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $3 round trip fare*
Parking: Free
MISSION VALLEY
Location: Mission Valley Transit Center, 9065 Alameda Avenue
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $3 round trip fare*
Parking: Free
WESTSIDE
Location: Westside Transit Center, 7535 Remcon Circle
Time: 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Cost: $3 round trip fare*
Parking: Free
AIRPORT AREA
Location: Designated areas outside the following hotels:
Best Western Plus, Comfort Inn & Suites, Courtyard, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hawthorn Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Homewood Suites, Hyatt Place, La Quinta Inn, Marriott, Microtel Inn, Radisson, Residence Inn, Staybridge Suites and Wyndham.
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Frequency: Every 35 minutes until game time
Cost: $3 round trip fare*
STREETCAR SERVICE AND PARK+RIDE LOCATIONS
DOWNTOWN
Location: Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 West San Antonio Avenue
Service Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Frequency: Figure-Eight Loop 25-30 minutes/ Downtown Loop 10-15 minutes
Cost: $1.50 per trip or $3.50 all-day pass*
Parking: $10 per vehicle
Location: El Paso Convention Center, across from the Camino Real Hotel
Service Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Frequency: Figure-Eight Loop 25-30 minutes/ Downtown Loop 10-15 minutes
Cost: $1.50 per trip or $3.50 all-day pass*
Parking: $10 per vehicle
*Exact change required. Times and frequencies may vary depending on traffic and demand.
A Selection Sunday Party will be hosted by the Sun Bowl Association to announce the 2019 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl match-up at Sunland Park Racetrack (1200 Futurity Drive, Sunland Park, N.M.) on Sunday, December 8 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. (MT).
The event is free and open to the public as there will be plenty of opportunities to win some great prizes.
“This has been a very interesting college football season as teams from both conferences were very competitive and the standings were changing week after week,” said Executive Director of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Bernie Olivas. “Other than Clemson out of the ACC and Oregon and Utah out of the Pac-12, both conferences were evenly matched.”
The 2019 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game will take place on Tuesday, December 31 at noon MT (2 p.m. ET) at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso.
The 2019 game will mark the 86th anniversary of the Sun Bowl game and the 52nd consecutive broadcast on CBS. The game will feature selections from the ACC and Pac-12 conferences.
Stanford defeated Pitt, 14-13 in the 2018 Sun Bowl.
What: Selection Sunday
When: Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019
Time: 12:30-2:30 p.m. (MT)
Place: Sunland Park Racetrack (1200 Futurity Dr., Sunland Park, N.M.)
Teams: ACC vs. Pac-12
“With the El Paso Community continuously supporting the Sun Bowl Association we are excited to show our loyal fans some new ideas we have coming with our new title sponsor,” Executive Director, Bernie Olivas. “The newly named Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl will maintain some of its traditions while adding fun new aspects to game day.”
The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl is set for a 12 p.m. (MT) kick-off on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 with teams from the ACC and Pac-12 facing each other. The game will be televised on CBS for the 52nd consecutive year.
The Sun Bowl Association is also encouraging local fans to help send others to the game through their “Salute a Soldier Program” and “Take a Child to the Game Program.”
The “Salute a Soldier” program allows fans and companies the opportunity to give soldiers a memory to last a lifetime. Sponsors who make purchases through the “Salute a Soldier Program” give soldiers an opportunity to attend the game while your company is recognized during the game.
“With so many military members living in and around the El Paso area this gives us a chance to give back to soldiers for their commitment and service,” said Olivas.
If a fan or company would prefer to take part in the “Take a Child to the Game” program, that person or company affords local children the opportunity to attend the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.
With the game falling only six days after Christmas, this would make an excellent Christmas gift. The goal is to send 3,000 children to the game and give them an experience they will never forget. Along with the goodwill that comes with sending a child to the game, any person or company taking part in this program will receive recognition at the game.
The Sun Bowl Association is happy to provide a list of youth organizations that your company may choose from if you do not already have a connection with one in the community. Contact the Sun Bowl Association ticket or marketing offices for details on the two programs.
“The ‘Take a Child to the Game’ program is a great way to inspire our youth to become involved in and around athletics and sports. It also makes for a great opportunity to bring cheer to youth who may not always have the opportunity to attend such a big event,” Olivas mentioned. “This fits in with Mission Tiger and initiative in keeping middle school athletics alive.”
The ticket prices start at $22 and vary depending on the stadium’s seat location:
$22 – End Zone
$22 – Touchdown
$32 – Sun Seats
$47 – Stadium
$57 – Preferred
$62 – Premium
A map of the stadium’s layout can be found online at www.sunbowl.org.
Tickets can be purchased online by going to www.sunbowl.org or by calling the Sun Bowl Association office at 915-533-4416.
Fans can also go to Ticketmaster.com or call the Ticketmaster toll free line at 800-745-3000. Ticketmaster offers a user-friendly mobile app for both iOS and Android, as well.
To purchase tickets in person, fans can stop by the Sun Bowl Association Office located at 4150 Pinnacle Street, Suite 100 or the UTEP Ticket Center at 2901 N. Mesa St.
For more information about the game visit the Sun Bowl’s website or Facebook Page. To view previous episodes, simply click on the title.
***
7-on-7 Series
Friday, July 19 – Duke Keith (radio host, Sun Bowl internal PA and Locomotive TV play-by-play)
Friday, July 26 – Jay Pritchard (Sun Bowl Marketing Director)
Friday, Aug. 2 – Steve Kaplowitz (AM 600 KROD – Sports Talk Radio Host)
Friday, Aug. 9 – Amber Herrera (Sun Bowl Executive Director Assistant)
Friday, Aug. 16 – Bill Knight (El Paso Times sports writer (retired))
Friday, Aug. 23 – Eddie Morelos (Sun Bowl Media Relations Director)
Friday, Aug. 30 – Bernie Olivas (Sun Bowl Executive Director)
The game, featuring a team from the ACC or Norte Dame taking on a team from of the Pac-12, will air on CBS for the 51st consecutive year.
“We are happy to announce that we are returning to our traditional New Year’s Eve slot,” Olivas said. “Many of our local fans had expressed to us that the New Year’s Eve date had become a family tradition and we are excited to have the game back on that day.”
Since the first Sun Bowl played on January 1, 1935, as a fundraising event for a local service club, the game has grown into El Paso’s number one national attraction. With its picturesque stadium nestled between two mountains it has become a staple to the Southwest.
Ara Parseghian played here, as well as Merlin Olsen. Through the years, the Sun Bowl has hosted some of the greats of the game – Tony Dorsett, Barry Sanders, Don Maynard, James Lofton, Carson Palmer, LaDainian Tomlinson and more recently Jonathan Stewart, Toby Gerhart, Mitch Trubisky, Solomon Thomas and Joey Harrington.
The 2017 Hyundai Sun Bowl consisted of No. 24 North Carolina State racking up 52 points to defeat Arizona State, 52-31, in front of 39,897 fans on beautiful Friday afternoon. The Wolfpack’s 52 points is the second-most scored by a team in the Sun Bowl’s prestigious history, trailing only the 56 scored by Oregon in 2007. The 83 combined points is also second-most in Sun Bowl history. UCLA and Northwestern combined to score 88 points in 2006.
Parking, RV parking and party passes are available for purchase at the Sun Bowl Association office. For questions concerning ADA ticket purchases and parking, please call the Sun Bowl Association office.
For ticket information about the 2018 Hyundai Sun Bowl go online or call the Hyundai Sun Bowl Ticket Manager at 915-533-4416.
Ticket Prices:
$22 – End Zone
$22 – Touchdown (upper corners of stadium)
$32 – Sun Seats
$47 – Stadium
$57 – Preferred
$62 – Premium
$652 – Captain’s Club
The challenge, scheduled for Wednesday, December 27 at Vista Hills Country Club, will feature representatives (Fans) from NC State and Arizona State University pitted against each other in an 18 Hole Two-Person-Scramble Match Play Format.
“It’s always great to see the fans and the locals having a great time out on the course,” said Executive Director of the Hyundai Sun Bowl Bernie Olivas. “The volunteers and organizers of this event do a great job and the turnout last year was tremendous.”
The winning university will be determined by the number of matches a university wins. Two-person teams will be formed from each university, and they will go head-to-head against a two-person team from the other university.
You can sign-up as a two-person team or you can sign-up as an individual, and we will place you on a team. You also have the option of playing with an El Pasoan who knows the golf course.
This event is open to all fans.
Teams must be entered and paid in full not later than noon on Monday, Dec.25, 2017.
CHECK-IN – 9:00 to 10:30 AM
BURRITO BAR – 9:00 to 10:30 AM
WARM-UP / FREE RANGE BALLS – 9:00 to 10:30 AM
WELCOME / RULES BRIEF – 10:45 AM
SHOTGUN START – 11:00 AM
AWARDS DINNER & HAPPY HOUR – APPROXIMATELY 3:30 PM
AWARDS – APPROXIMATELY 4:00 PM
Previous Results: 2013 (VT 9 – UCLA 9); 2014 (ASU 10 – Duke 8); 2015 (WSU 12.5 – Miami 8.5); 2016 (UNC 12.5 – Stanford 7.5)
Entry Fee: Seventy-five dollars ($75) per person includes Green Fee, Cart, Range Balls, Prizes, Goodie Bag, Burrito Bar and Awards Dinner. VHCC Golf Members ($55). Golf Club Set Rental is an additional $10 (Be sure to indicate a need at Sign-Up).
You can sponsor a Wounded Warrior or Soldier for $100.
Questions: Terry Jennings or Danny Lopez at 915-592-6565. Course Information: 915-592-6565 or www.vistahillscc.com. Special Hyundai Sun Bowl Golf Rates with cart Dec. 18-30 ($20 plus tax).
Show your Hyundai Sun Bowl Ticket at the Pro Shop during Check-In. Schedule your Tee Times (915-592-6565).
Students of the kindergarten class, which is taught by Ms. Delgado and Ms. Garcia, won tickets to the 84th Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl and will also be provided a hot dog and beverage during the game.
“This is the first year we had the opportunity to do this and we are excited for the students from Western Hills Elementary to hang out and enjoy the game on Friday, Dec. 29,” said Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “We hit a little bump in the road when we began to verify votes so we decided to take another route.”
Due to an error in getting accurate votes tallied, the Sun Bowl Association had to vote on the doors to choose the winner.
Members of the Sun Bowl Association staff, the Sun Bowl Association Board members and members of various Sun Bowl committees voted to choose the inaugural winner.
Mr. Olivas will be presenting the tickets to the class at Western Hills Elementary, Monday, December 11 at 10 a.m.
This year’s Hyundai Sun Bowl is set for a 1 p.m. (MT) kick-off at Sun Bowl Stadium on Friday, December 29.
The Sun Bowl Association and Hyundai will be hosting a “Selection Sunday Party” from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, which is located at 1200 Futurity Drive in Sunland Park, N.M.
“With the way the games ended up in the final weeks of play we have an idea of who will be coming from the Pac-12,” said Executive Director of the Hyundai Sun Bowl Bernie Olivas. “Out of the ACC there are a few different teams that we could get including Louisville, NC State, Wake Forest and Virginia.”
The 2017 game will mark the 84th anniversary of the Sun Bowl game and the 50th consecutive broadcast on CBS. The game features selections from the ACC and Pac-12 conferences.
Stanford defeated North Carolina, 25-23 in the 2016 Hyundai Sun Bowl.
The 2017 Hyundai Sun Bowl game will be played Friday, December 29, at 1 p.m. MT (3 p.m. ET) at Sun Bowl Stadium.
“Looking at our reports this past month, we noticed that we have had more people renew early than we’ve had in the past, so that is telling me that our regular ticket buyers are excited to come back to the game,” said Hyundai Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “Our game is an El Paso tradition and the prices for tickets are very affordable, especially when one compares it to other forms of entertainment.”
This year’s game marks the 50th consecutive year the Sun Bowl has been broadcast by CBS, which makes it the second longest program on the same network on all of television only behind the Master’s. The 2017 Hyundai Sun Bowl will kick off at 1 p.m. (MT) Friday, December 29, 2017; and features teams from the ACC and Pac-12 conferences.
Last year’s Hyundai Sun Bowl featured the second and third overall picks in the NFL draft, Mitch Trubisky and Solomon Thomas, with Stanford edging UNC 28-26.
“We have various ticket options and packages to choose from,” Olivas said. “Sun Bowl Stadium does not have a bad seat in the house so any option will give the purchaser a great view of the playing field.”
The Hyundai Sun Bowl also offers Sun Bowl Six Pack ticket packages. The Sun Bowl Six Pack includes six Hyundai Sun Bowl Game Tickets, six Hyundai Sun Bowl Pregame VIP Tent Party tickets, six The Hospitals of Providence Rotary Sun Bowl Team Luncheon tickets and six WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational Tickets.
Fans can purchase tickets and set them up to be renewed on an annual basis by calling the Sun Bowl Association office.
Tickets for the game can be purchased online or by calling the Sun Bowl Association office at 915-533-4416. Fans can also stop by the Sun Bowl Association office in El Paso at 4150 Pinnacle Street, Suite 100 to purchase tickets.
Ticket prices start at just $22 with other options priced at $32, $47, $57 and $62. A map of the stadium’s layout can be found at www.sunbowl.org
Fans can also help send others to the game through our “Salute a Soldier Program” and “Take a Child to the Game Program.”
“As a non-profit organization we are always looking for ways to have others join us in giving back to the community,” Olivas said. “Our ‘Salute a Soldier Program’ and ‘Take a Child to the Game Program’ are two great ways to show love to the community we live in. The Fort Bliss soldiers who have received tickets in the past have been ecstatic and it’s always great to give tickets to children, especially as a Christmas gift.”
The “Salute a Soldier Program” allows fans and companies the opportunity to give a Fort Bliss soldier a memory to last a lifetime. As a sponsor, you will give the soldier an opportunity to attend the game while your company is recognized during the game.
If a fan or company would prefer to take part in the “Take a Child to the Game Program” that person or company affords local children the opportunity to attend the Hyundai Sun Bowl.
With the game falling only four days after Christmas, this would make an excellent Christmas gift. The goal is to send 3,000 children to the game and give them an experience they will never forget. Along with the goodwill that comes with sending a child to the game, any person or company taking part in this program will receive recognition at the game.
The Sun Bowl Association is happy to provide a list of youth organizations that your company may choose from, if you do not already have a connection with one in the community.
Contact the Sun Bowl Association ticket or marketing offices for details on the two programs.
Elementary school classes in the El Paso region grades K-5 interested in winning tickets to the game, which is on Dec. 29, 2017, can read all the rules and regulations of the contest on Facebook at the Official page of the Hyundai Sun Bowl.
“We came up on this opportunity to give tickets to children in the El Paso region and are excited to see what these talented, young minds come up with,” said Sun Bowl Association Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “There are some great and inspiring teachers in our region who, I know, will help these students create some amazing door decorations that represent the Hyundai Sun Bowl and El Paso.”
A maximum of 30 students from one class in El Paso will win tickets and also be provided a hot dog and beverage during the game by following the rules, regulations and submission process of the contest.
A picture of the uniquely decorated door should be submitted by Nov. 17 2017.
The winning class will be determined based on how many “likes” it gets on Facebook. The winner will be notified by phone on December 11, 2017.
For more information and a complete list of Rules and Regulations of the contest, visit the Sun Bowl Website or call Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas at 915-533-4416
While the college football season may have just started, fans are already looking to the bowl games and Hyundai Sun Bowl tickets are selling at a brisk pace.
“It seems like with the date of the game moving to Friday, December 30 the fans are excited to get back to their traditions,” Executive Director of the Sun Bowl Association Bernie Olivas said. “With last year’s game the day after Christmas, it was hard for people to get here. But with the game on Friday, December 30 this year, we are seeing more fans buying early and anticipate more fans in attendance.”
In last year’s Hyundai Sun Bowl fans saw Washington State defeat Miami 20-14.
Tickets for the 83rd Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Sun Bowl Association office. The 2016 Hyundai Sun Bowl is set for Friday, Dec. 30 in Sun Bowl Stadium with kick-off scheduled for noon. The game features select teams from the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) and the Pac-12.
Fans have already been renewing their ticket plans and making new ticket purchases with the many options available.
Tickets for the game can be purchased online through the link available at www.sunbowl.org. Customers can call the Sun Bowl Association office (915-533-4416) and are also invited to stop by the Sun Bowl Association office that is located at 4150 Pinnacle Street, Suite 100 in El Paso to purchase tickets.
The Hyundai Sun Bowl also works with Ticketmaster and fans can buy tickets by going to their website, by calling the Ticketmaster toll free line at 800-745-3000 or by using the Ticketmaster apps, which are available for both Android and iPhone users. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster will have additional handling and convenience fees attached to the price.
Ticket prices start at just $22 in the end zone as well as in the upper corners of the stadium. The other options are priced at $32, $47, $57 and $62.
A map and layout of the Sun Bowl Stadium with ticket prices is available online. Tickets may be purchased and set up on an annually renewable account by calling the Sun Bowl Association office.
Fans may want to purchase of one of two ticket programs to help others attend the 83rd Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl: the “Salute a Soldier Program” and “Take a Child to the Game Program.”
With the “Salute a Soldier Program” fans and companies have the chance to give a Fort Bliss soldier a memory that will last a lifetime. As a sponsor you will give a soldier the opportunity to attend the game while your company will not only benefit out of goodwill, but will also be given recognition at the game.
If a fan or company would prefer to take part in the “Take a Child to the Game Program” that person or company gives a child the opportunity to attend the game, which would make for a great Christmas gift as the game falls only a five days after the holiday. Anyone who takes part in this program will not only benefit out of goodwill but will also be given recognition at the game. The goal is to send 3,000 children to the game and give them an experience that will last a lifetime. The Sun Bowl Association can provide a list of youth organizations that your company may choose from, if you do not already have a personal favorite you are connected to in the community.
Contact the Sun Bowl Association ticket or marketing office for details on the two programs.
Outlets to choose from:
Sun Bowl Association
Website: www.sunbowl.org
Office Number: 915-533-4416
Ticketmaster
Website: www.ticketmaster.com
Toll Free Number: 800-745-3000
UTEP Ticket Office
Phone Number: 915-747-5234
Pan American Center Box Office
Phone Number: 575-646-1420
Listing of local and regional retailers to purchase tickets:
UTEP Ticket Center In front of the Don Haskins Center
2901 N Mesa (12)
M-F 8-6, Sat 8-4
UTEP Miner Store
1455 N Zaragosa Ste A-500 (36)
747-8900
Tues – Sat 12-6
El Paso County Coliseum
Pan American Center Box Office on the campus of New Mexico State University (Las Cruces)
The Sun Bowl Association hosted a press conference featuring Miami interim head coach Larry Scott and Washington State head coach Mike Leach on Monday morning at the DoubleTree Downtown in El Paso, Texas.
Hyundai Sun Bowl Football Selection Committee Chairman John Folmer
Opening Statement…
“I appreciate the coaches for coming in here. Needless to say, all you have to do is look at the map to realize that they both came from a long way away. This is a good place for them to meet in a scenario that we thank and are very proud of. I think although our sales have been very brisk and very good, this is really the kick off of our ticket sales and the kick off for lots of enthusiasm and excitement that our game has brought to this community for so many years. I want to say before we introduce the coaches that it wouldn’t be possible for us to stay in business for as long as we have without all of the volunteers. I have been fortunate enough to have been involved for over 45 years. We do this because we love El Paso and that’s why we’re able to bring two good football teams like we’ve got this year from Miami and Washington State.”
Miami Interim Head Coach Larry Scott
Opening Statement…
“It’s great to be here and to have the opportunity to come back to El Paso and bring the 2015 Miami Hurricane football team. I had the chance and the opportunity to be here a few years ago when I came with the University of South Florida. We played the Oregon Ducks here and we’re looking for a different result this time around. What an awesome experience it was and there are certain things when you go to bowls that stick out that you remember and that you hold to.
Especially as a young coach, it was the hospitality and the service from the staff, the volunteers and all the people that made it such a great experience for our coaches, our families and our players. To have that experience and be able to share that with this year’s team, and share what it’s all about coming to the Sun Bowl. The kids understand the tradition of it and how long it’s existed and it’s some of the best in the business that put on the bowl. People around the city rally around the bowl and that’s a big piece to it being successful. The way that I explained it is that it’s all about tradition and it takes on a different meaning.
You set their mindsets and attitude; they understood what this means and what it’s all about and they are really excited to have the opportunity to play in one of the oldest bowl games. The last time we played was the day after Thanksgiving; we spent Thanksgiving in a hotel and this time we’re spending Christmas in a hotel. The only difference is, we’ll have our wives and our families with us and so it makes it special for the coaches.”
On what he learned leading his team…
“First thing I learned is that, it takes everybody. No one man can do it all alone or can do it by themselves. It’s a true team and takes a lot of team work and joining people together and putting people behind the same message to accomplish putting ourselves in the position to be successful. That’s the first thing I learned and there’s a lot of pieces that come into play and there’s a certain amount of appreciation you have to have for the job for the people all the way up from the top to the bottom. There’s an appreciation that goes into changing the attitude and mindset in the locker room so, that’s one of the biggest things that I’ve learned.”
On how he’s grown as a coach…
“Uh, very fast! Very fast to say the least, but I had some really good people, some really good coaches that I work with. Along the way, I had an awesome opportunity to as a player be a part of the start of a startup program in the University of South Florida to play for and coach for a man that I got a lot of appreciation for in Jim Levy and what he did for that program and had a chance to develop under him as a young coach. Some of the other coaches like Rod Smith who’s at Arizona now.
You know, a lot of really good coaches and of course Al Golden. At the University of Miami, we appreciate all that he started for the program there, and just a couple of days being around Coach Mark Richt. The things that you learn if you have an open mind and willing to learn, there’s always something that you can digest and learn from every situation that you face and are a part of. You know, I am fortunate enough to be around a lot of really good football coaches that I had the opportunity to learn from.”
Washington State Head Coach Mike Leach
Opening Statement…
“Well, and I continue in my pursuit of following Coach Price around. You know, I mean when I was at Tech, they dragged me into all these games and they tried to beat up on our teams and pound on us and so I followed him there and then just as I thought I could escape, I went all the way down to South Florida, just three and a half hours South of Miami actually, I got reeled into Washington State University where Coach Price was a part of such a great tradition there.
So, it wouldn’t be El Paso without him as far as I’m concerned, and then of course H&H Car Wash and all those guys, you know you walk in and this guy walks in and bear hugs you and carries you around until his arms get tired but you know, it’s worth it cause afterwards you get some tacos. I have great memories of El Paso and the other thing is, I enjoy the history; it’s got some unique history and unique landscape. You know every coach that all these guys that I look up to, all these guys have inspired me to get into coaching and stuff like that.
You know, as a kid you’d sit and watch TV you know, there’d be this coach and there’d be that coach and I mean all of them were in the Sun Bowl, and as a kid you’d watch the Sun Bowl. And plus, they had such a unique settings of the stadium. It’s unique and incidentally really loud. Anyway, I can’t say enough about the opportunity to be here to be a part of one of the oldest bowls in country and at Tech, we never did get the opportunity to come to the Sun Bowl. It’s great to be here, our entire team is excited and our entire program is excited.”
On having a reputation for putting the fun into football…
“It’s not really as conscience as that. I mean the most exciting thing really with the team is the different personalities. Football teams are a huge melting pot of people and you know their background interests and where they’re from and the different locations they’re from. You have all these practices and watch film and just exchange, getting to know the guy next to you it’s all fun and then uh, if you’re a little loose with it, there’s less to keep track of. You know, I’m not a guy that can keep track of too much. So, between staying out of trouble and not having to keep track of stuff, we just talk about it and discuss it like it is.”
On injuries…
“We’re 100% healthy as always, and I’m not a guy that talks about injuries but I can tell you, this will be the one thing I say which is slightly stepping over my line on that thing. I read about all these injuries and all of a sudden someone tries to hide behind injuries and it’s a pre-prepared excuse to lose. I don’t like that running through the players head you know? Well, if we lose we’ll have a good excuse, you know I kept reading all these articles and all these guys are injured, I don’t like that. You need to empower that guy and we expect to win. I can tell you sincerely that all of our roster will be expected to be available.”
On quarterback Luke Faulk…
“He studies film all the time and my quarterbacks in general have done that, but him, he’s pretty methodical about it all. He has it systemized and is focused on it, I mean, he’s focused on football right now I am certain of it. I thought he did a really great job as far as inspiring our off season and a lot of other players when our team first came together. I think that you know, he’s had the ability to really improve and develop.”
Author: Sun Bowl Association
El Paso Herald-Post El Paso News & Opinion
