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THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE STADIUM EVENTS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
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ISSUE 2 • AUGUST 26, 2014
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
The defending champs tee-it-up in Arlington as AT&T Stadium embarks on the greatest “home schedule” in college football history BY JAIME ARON
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he landscape of college football — no, make that the nation’s entire sports scene — is getting a new look. A shiny marvel is rising like a skyscraper over an already bustling downtown. One day late in the 2006 college football season, while construction workers in Arlington were carving a giant hole a few blocks from the Texas Rangers ballpark, Dallas Cowboys executive Brett Daniels visited the headquarters of the Cotton Bowl in an office near Love Field. That massive excavation in Arlington, of course, was the start of AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys knew they were building something special and were already working to make it a premier destination. That was the subject of the conversation between Daniels and Cotton Bowl president Rick Baker. The more they talked about the potential for the stadium, the grander their vision became. Imagine the Cotton Bowl being played there. Imagine that relocation helping restore the
A CLASSIC: The Cotton Bowl Classic will return to a January 1 slot this year — 11 days ahead of the national championship being played on the same field.
game’s place in the hierarchy of bowl games. Imagine that happening around the time a real playoff system arrives in college football. … Imagine also bringing in some regular-season games, maybe a regional home-and-home series like Texas and Oklahoma play at Fair Park, plus a national
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE! Good seats for Florida State vs. Oklahoma State and the other three regular season college games being held this season at AT&T Stadium are still available (the Cotton Bowl Classic is sold out, however). Go to www.ticketmaster.com to purchase.
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game among big-time teams that would appreciate the exposure and experience of playing in this facility, in front of this fertile base of recruits and alums. Incredibly, it’s played out almost as they had planned. Even more incredibly, they actually aimed low. Starting Saturday night, AT&T Stadium will be the place to be this college football season, offering North Texans a slate of six games that stacks up as the greatest “home schedule” in the history of the sport. Sure, home schedule needs quotes around it because there’s no real campus. Still, the rest
ISSUE 2
AUGUST 26, 2014
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SELECTION COMMITTEE
LET THE GAMES BEGIN, CONT.
of the claim is solid when you analyze the matchups: + AUG. 30: No. 1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State + SEPT. 13: Texas vs. No. 7 UCLA + SEPT. 27: Arkansas vs. No. 21 Texas A&M + NOV. 29: Texas Tech vs. No. 10 Baylor + JAN. 1: Cotton Bowl Classic + JAN. 12: College Football Playoff National Championship
PHOTO BY JOE FARAONI / ESPN IMAGES
In more detail, this means … the season opens with the reigning national champions, led by reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, and closes with the coronation of the next national champion in the firstever title game under the new College Football Playoff format. Along the way, fans will be treated to a total of three preseason top 10 teams, squads from four of the five major conferences, a pair ULTIMATE PRIZE: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy presented by Dr Pepper will be awarded at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 12, 2015.
of rivalry games, new Longhorns coach Charlie Strong facing the toughest non-conference foe of his debut season, plus the Cotton Bowl back on New Year’s Day for the first time in many years. “I would challenge anybody to come up with a schedule of six games at one facility that could match the diversity and the quality and the tradition and the history of the teams that we already know are going to be here — and that’s without knowing which terrific, highly ranked teams we’ll have in the Cotton Bowl and the national championship,” said Baker, who is still running the Cotton Bowl, albeit from new headquarters — inside the stadium. Thinking back to that long-ago conversation with Baker, Daniels remains in awe. College football has twisted and turned many times, in many ways, yet it all seems to have broken in their favor. “So many things were out of our control — the design of the playoffs, the site selection itself,” said Daniels, now the Cowboys’ Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Brand Management. “It’s really great seeing it all fall into place.” This might also be a case of luck being the residue of design.
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n August 14, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee concluded its final pre-season meeting, reviewing operating protocol and procedures. “We have made tremendous progress during the off season in preparation for the significant task at hand come this fall,” said Jeff Long, selection committee chair. “Our members are looking forward to the new era of college football and the role we will play in determining the rankings and matchups for the College Football Playoff. It’s a thrilling time and each one of us is honored to be a part of it.” The committee’s task will be to select the best teams, rank the teams for inclusion in the playoff and selected other bowl games and, then assign the teams to sites. The committee will select the teams using a process that distinguishes among otherwise comparable teams by considering: + Conference championships won, + Strength of schedule, + Head-to-head competition, + Comparative outcomes of common opponents (without incenting margin of victory), and, + Other relevant factors such as key injuries that may have affected a team’s performance during the season or likely will affect its postseason performance. Find more info about the selection process and the selection committee at www.collegefootballplayoff.com.
ISSUE 2
AUGUST 26, 2014
LET THE GAMES BEGIN, CONT.
From the beginning, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones declared this stadium would be a premier place for competition, regardless of the sport. He also helped jumpstart the college football side of it by arranging for his alma mater, Arkansas, to renew its Southwest Conference rivalry with Texas A&M with a series of games here. (The rivalry went back to campuses the last two years, the Aggies’ first two in the Southeastern Conference, but it’s back in Arlington through at least 2020, ensuring years of the sensory overload from passionate fans clad in crimson on one side, maroon on the other, throats in full roar with hog calls from Razorbacks and Aggies echoing their yell leaders.) ESPN got involved early on, too, creating the Cowboys Classic, a compelling seasonopening matchup that was a hit from the very beginning: BYU upsetting No. 3 Oklahoma in 2009. Highly ranked teams have met up every season since. One of the most memorable matchups was in 2012, when storied programs Alabama and Michigan squared off while both ranked in the top 10. Both enjoyed it so much that they’ll be back soon: the Crimson Tide against Wisconsin next year and against Southern Cal in 2016, with the Wolverines playing Florida in 2017. Remember, just last year, Notre Dame gave up a home game in South Bend to play in Arlington, taking on Arizona State. “People definitely want to play in that stadium,” said Dave Brown, the ESPN vice
UNLIKE ANY OTHER
North Texas knows big events — but there’s never been anything quite like hosting this year’s National Championship BY TONY FAY
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uper Bowl… check. NBA All-Star… check. Final Four… check. World Series… check… twice. North Texas knows how to host and support mega sporting events. It’s resume since 2009 is as impressive as any region’s in the country. Now, add to that historic run the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship, which throws down at AT&T Stadium on January 12. While it’s a first time event, don’t expect any less by way of grandeur. In fact, in many ways it’ll be unlike anything North Texas has hosted before. Here are five reasons why:
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THEY’RE HERE
Our region’s mega-event history has been about proving to outside groups that their prestige events are in good hands in North Texas. The NFL, MLB and NBA all office in the Big Apple. The NCAA calls Indy home. When setting up the College Football Playoff home offices, many sites were considered, but the decision was ultimately made to settle in North Texas. Las Colinas to be specific. That means the
CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock is a big fan of the region. “The heart of North Texas is the people. Without their drive, heart and love of the game, this would be just another dandy metropolitan area with a great symphony hall, must-see museums, nice hotels and pretty ballpark. It’s the human beings who make this place special.” North Texas will also play another vital role this year. Beginning in late October, the distinguished 13-member playoff selection committee will fly into DFW Airport and meet each week to update its rankings.
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MEDIA DAY AND YOU’RE INVITED
Some of the most memorable moments Super Bowl week happen at Media Day, when members of the fourth estate and players/coaches mix and mingle. Media Days are normally the domain of credentialed news outlets only. To draw back the curtain for fans, though, the CFP will stage Media Day (to be held Saturday, January 10) at Fan Central, the college football theme park that will be erected in Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. In the midst of the more than 500,000-square feet of interactive experiences, autograph signings, sponsor activations and general family fun, will sit a regulation 100-yard football field, complete with bleachers, accommodating up to 4,500 spectators. Fans will be able to watch as players and coaches competing in Monday’s
“Without their drive, heart and love of the game, this would be just another dandy metropolitan area with a great symphony hall, must-see museums, nice hotels and pretty ballpark.” new CFP staff — a collection of allstars who have led big event host committees and signature bowl games across the nation — will call North Texas home no matter if future championship games are at AT&T Stadium or Glendale, AZ (2016) or any number of cities interested in bidding for the game.
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ISSUE 2
AUGUST 26, 2014
LET THE GAMES BEGIN, CONT.
UNLIKE ANY OTHER, CONT.
president of programming who is essentially the matchmaker of the annual game. “It’s an amazing place and there’s nothing like it. Also, it’s a great location for recruiting and for alumni; those things come into it as well.” Tickets remain for all four regular-season games, including the Florida StateOklahoma State opener. Get them while you can because the buzz is sure to build soon.
championship game make some of their final public statements prior to kickoff. It’s the sports equivalent of being able to watch a Hollywood red carpet. Only no one will be wearing Versace.
“Once people start focusing on college football, I think the true fans — which we have in unbelievable numbers — will grasp how significant this is.” “Once people start focusing on college football, I think the true fans — which we have in unbelievable numbers — will grasp how significant this is,” Baker said. “They’ll get it. They’ll see what a historic season this is going to be for the North Texas area.”
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YOU’LL BE HEARING ABOUT IT EVERYWHERE
Sponsors activate at big events, no secret there. But there’s every indication that the sports business world will be set a whirl come January. Walt Disney, the parent company of CFP television partner ESPN, is planning an all out blitz throughout its empire, including its famed theme parks. Think the type of cross promotion the Mouse House generally reserves for global properties like the World Cup or movie tie-ins like Marvel’s The Avengers. ESPN won’t be the only partner looking to capitalize on the historic significance of this year’s game. Look for other CFP partners to get creative, ensuring that the championship game logo will be hard to miss once the seasons kicks off.“This is the biggest sponsorship deal we’ve done,” said Dr Pepper’s EVP of Marketing, Jim Trebilcock. “This will be our version of the Super Bowl.”
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OUR RICH HISTORY
1
IT’S THE FIRST ONE
It can be argued that no metropolitan area in the country has a richer college football history than North Texas. Starting with Texas and Oklahoma’s decision in 1911 to move their annual clash to Fair Park to the eight decades of memories generated by the Cotton Bowl Classic, we have a longer and deeper history with college football than any other sport. We love it. And while this will be the first championship held in this new format, it’s not the first time a college champion has been crowned in North Texas. That’s happened on eight previous occasions, most recently when Joe Montana’s Notre Dame squad turned away Earl Campbell and the Longhorns in the 1978 Cotton Bowl. Imagine being able to step in the way back machine and transport yourself to the first Super Bowl or World Series. There will be only one inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Fans of the sport have been clamoring for this as long as pigs have been skinned. Well, it’s here in our backyard and it’s going to be an unforgettable ride. Who’s in?
BOOK A SPEAKER Interested in learning more about the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship and what it means to the North Texas Region? Contact the SEOC about possibly booking a speaker at your next event. To learn more, email Tony Fay at tony@stadiumeoc.com.
GRIDIRON HISTORY: Texas and OU moved their annual Red River clash to Dallas in 1911.
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