Player Outreach

MINNESOTA PLAYER OUTREACH

Minnesota Golden Gophers student-athletes were paired with 50 children from Muscular Dystrophy Association for a day of fun at Main Event Tempe. They enjoyed a morning of bowling, arcade games and laser tag. After the day of play, the children received Minnesota team hats, flags, towels, wristbands and lanyards to remember the event.

SARAH LEVIN, NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER SERVICES PARTNERSHIPS, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION

“Looking back on the Player Outreach Day, I still hear the sounds of kids laughing and I still see the smiles on their faces. For many of the kids that participated, this day was about hope. Hope for living a life without boundaries, a life with friends, a life where you are supported and celebrated for your abilities. The MDA community is grateful for the opportunity and our kids left the day with heightened esteem and memories to last a lifetime. Thank you Fiesta Bowl Charities!”

WEST VIRGINIA PLAYER OUTREACH

The West Virginia Mountaineers and participants from Special Olympics Arizona, Mikey’s League and Z Kick for Life Foundation kicked off ‘A Day of Play’ with some friendly competition. Student-athletes and participants put their game faces on and played arcade games, bowling and laser tag at Mavrix in Scottsdale. All participants were gifted WVU bracelets, lanyards and autograph cards from the players.

NOELLE, MIKEY’S LEAGUE PARENT

“Thank you to the Fiesta Bowl and the West Virginia Mountaineer football athletes for spending time with the Mikey’s League athletes, while in Arizona. Events like these are so special and exciting for our son. William LOVES all sports and being able to hang out and spend some one-on-one time with these guys gives him a chance to feel like he’s part of the team. The huge smile on his face was absolutely priceless!”

SCOTT FREEMAN, MIKEY’S LEAGUE

“Fiesta Bowl Charities created a timeless, inclusive, moment when Mikey’s League athletes played and competed with the WVU football team. Our athletes were treated not just with respect but with openness and friendship that was genuine. It was a joy to watch athletes with such diverse backgrounds and ability levels have genuine interactions ranging from competitive banter to cheering each other on. The event created lasting memories while also providing a boost of self-confidence that our athletes will carry with them for a long time.”

NOTRE DAME PLAYER OUTREACH

In partnership with Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, 30 youth had the opportunity to ‘Shop with a Jock’ at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Each child was paired with a Notre Dame student-athlete to shop the aisles and pick out shoes, clothes, sporting equipment and more. The kids and student-athletes also enjoyed a hot chocolate bar, yard games and a gift bag full of PlayStation goodies.

KRIS JACOBER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARIZONA FRIENDS OF FOSTER CHILDREN

“Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation was honored to invite 30 children in foster care to participate in the Fiesta Bowl’s “Shop With A Jock” event. From the minute the Notre Dame athletes ran off the bus, they were 100% engaged in making sure that the kids who came out for the event had the time of their lives. The excitement and enthusiasm of the children was matched smile for smile by the excitement and enthusiasm of the players.”

OKLAHOMA STATE PLAYER OUTREACH

PRESENTED BY PNC

Oklahoma State University student-athletes joined 40 Wishes for Teachers recipients from Title 1 schools to fill 1,000 backpacks with more than 15 school supplies, such as pencils, notebooks, crayons, rulers and scissors. During a fun and friendly relay race competition, participants were split in two teams to each stuff 500 backpacks as fast as possible. At the end, each teacher left the event with 25 backpacks for their students.

MELISSA RAEGAN, EL MIRAGE ELEMENTARY, SELF-CONTAINED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

“Thank you to the Oklahoma State University football team for helping fill 1,000 backpacks with school supplies for students around Arizona. I am grateful to have been able to participate in this event that gave back to our students!”

TYLER LACY, OKLAHOMA STATE DEFENSIVE END

“When we came in through the doors it was like everybody’s cheering and hollering and everything. So it was kind of fun being pumped up especially with the teachers pumping us up and helping us out with stuffing the backpacks. I feel like it was a great day.”