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EL PASO – In a game with 792 yards of combined offense, it was an interception by Arizona State’s (10-3) defensive back Kweishi Brown that sealed a 36-31 victory for the Sun Devils over Duke (9-4) in the 81st Hyundai Sun Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 27 in El Paso, Texas.
Duke had the ball with under a minute remaining at the ASU 14-yard line and threw the ball to the corner of the end zone but the pass was intercepted by Brown.
The Sun Devils picked up their 10th win of the year in front of 47,809 for their second-straight Sun Bowl appearance, defeating Purdeu, 27-23, in 2004. Senior quarterback Taylor Kelly highlighted the ASU offense with 240 yards passing and 24 yards rushing for 264 of total offense. After the 81st Hyundai Sun Bowl, Kelly becomes the third player in ASU program history to tally 10,000 yards of total offense with 10,223 yards.
Duke trailed 30-17 heading into the fourth quarter but battled back scoring 14-points in the fourth to take their first lead of the game with 5:03 remaining in the game. The Blue Devils took possession on an ASU turnover, but turned it over on downs with 9:22 left in the fourth after the Sun Devils attempted to gain a first down on 4th-and-1.
The Blue Devil offense was forced to punt at the 50-yard line but pulled off a fake punt using a 30-yard pass from punter Will Monday to wide receiver Johnell Barnes moving the ball down to the 20-yardline to keep the drive alive. That play led to a 12-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Jamison Crowder to wide receiver Issac Blakeney. Crowder received a toss from quarterback Anthony Boone before passing the ball to Blakeney giving Duke its first lead of the game at 31-30 after the PAT.
The Sun Devils immediately responded with a 96-yard kickoff return by true freshman Kalen Ballage, who ended the game as the John Folmer Most Valuable Special Teams Player. ASU running back freshman Demario Richards, who was named the C.M. Hendricks MVP, scored on the very next play, catching a pass from Kelly. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful making it a 36-31 game with 4:45 remaining on the clock.
ASU’s Richards posted 41 yards on seven carries, with two touchdowns and added 22 yards on five receptions and two receiving touchdowns.
Duke’s Shaquille Powell had a productive day with 117 yards rushing on 29 attempts, while adding 52 yards on three receptions with one touchdown. It was his first career 100-yard game and tallied a career-best 169 total yards in the game.
ASU came out on fire, scoring on its first drive of the game after getting the ball on the Duke 49-yardline. The Sun Devils used just five plays in a minute and 33 seconds as Richard followed the right guard into the endzone from nine yards out.
After the Blue Devils went three-and-out on their second drive of the game, ASU put up another three points on a 28-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez to take a 10-0 lead with 10:50 left in the first quarter. The Blue Devils would get on the board in the first quarter as place kicker Ross Martin hitting a 40-yard field goal with 2:59 left. Duke started the drive at its own 35 heading down to the ASU 22-yardline, while eating up four minutes and 33 seconds off the clock.
ASU extended its lead by 10 with 12:55 on the clock in the second quarter as Gonzalez hit a 38-yard field goal. The Sun Devils had momentum but a sack by Duke on 3-and-4 for a 12-yard loss forced the field goal attempt. Gonzalez finished the game with 12 total points off three field goals and three PATs, tying No. 4 for all-time scoring for a kicker in Hyundai Sun Bowl history.
The Sun Devils decided to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the Duke 12-yard line and Kelly ran the ball up the middle for an 11-yard gain before Richard ran the ball in from 1-yard line. The point after gave ASU a 20-3 lead. Duke responded using an 8-play, 78-yard drive to pull back to within 10. The Blue Devils scored on a 14-yard pass from Anthony Boone to Powell. With 2:06 on the clock, Powell had already posted a career-high 96 total offensive yards.
ASU was held to its first 3-and-out of the game and punted the ball 43-yards down to the Duke 32-yardline. Blue Devil punt returner Crowder returned the ball 68 yards for a touchdown to make it a 20-17 ballgame. The 68-yard punt return was the longest punt return since North Carolina’s Marcus Wall returned a punt for 82 yards against Texas during the 1994 Sun Bowl.
The Sun Devils opened the second half scoring on an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was capped off by an 11-yard TD pass from Kelly to Richard. It was Richard’s third score of the game, giving ASU a 27-17 lead with 11:08 remaining.
Duke was driving down the field and completed a pass to Blakeney on 3rd-and-14 but the ball was stripped by ASU defensive back Kweishi Brown with the fumble recovered by Jordan Simone at the 7-yardline. The ball was returned to the ASU 36-yardline and the Sun Devils eventually scored on a 47-yard field goal by Gonzalez to make it 30-17 game.
The Blue Devils pulled to within six points at 30-24, when Boone threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Barnes with the PAT made by Martin. It was Barnes’ first career-touchdown.
Arizona State freshman Marcus Hardison was named the Jjimmy Rogers, Jr. Most Valuable Lineman.
The UTEP Miners won their 31st WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational behind tournament MVP Vince Hunter’s 18-point, 16-rebound output defeating Kent State, 78-75 in the 53rd edition of the nation’s oldest holiday tournament.
UTEP’s Matt Willms received the Haskins Award given to the student-athletes that most exemplifies the ideals and integrity of legendary coach Don Haskins. The Miners’ Cedric Lang was named to the all-tournament team. Kent State’s Jimmy Hall, North Dakota State’s Dexter Werner and Alcorn State’s Marquis Vance rounded up the 2014 WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational All-Tournament Team.
North Dakota State ran away with a 61-50 victory over Alcorn State in the consolation game.
The Sun Bowl Association and Hyundai Motor of El Paso are proud to announce award-winning country band Lonestar as the performers for the 81st Hyundai Sun Bowl halftime show on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014.
“Lonestar is celebrating 20 years of making great country music and we couldn’t be more excited to have them perform at this year’s Hyundai Sun Bowl halftime,” said Oscar Leeser of Hyundai of El Paso. “This award-winning group has dozens of country hits under their belt and we are sure the football fans will enjoy their performance at Sun Bowl Stadium.”
Known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, Lonestar has amassed RIAA-certified sales in excess of ten million album units since their national launch in 1995. They achieved 10 No. 1 country hits including “No News,” “Come Crying To Me,” and their crossover smash “Amazed” (which was also #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first record since 1983’s “Islands in the Stream” to top both charts). The band’s awards include a 1999 ACM Single of The Year for “Amazed” (the song also won the Song of the Year award) and the 2001 CMA Vocal Group of the Year.
The Hyundai Sun Bowl, sponsored by Hyundai Motor America, will feature the nationally-ranked Arizona State against Duke. This marks the 10th year the Hyundai Sun Bowl has featured a halftime show. Previous performers have included Los Lonely Boys, Diamond Rio, Baby Bash, Rihanna, The Village People, David Archuleta, Lee Greenwood and Lee Brice.
The Hyundai Sun Bowl game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 27 at noon at Sun Bowl Stadium. The game will be broadcast live nationally in high definition on CBS for the 47th consecutive year. Tickets for the Hyundai Sun Bowl range in price from $22 to $62 and can be purchased by calling (915) 533-4416 or (800) 915-BOWL or go on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.
Duke and Arizona State have accepted invitations to meet on Saturday, Dec. 27, for the 81st edition of the Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, announced Sun Bowl Association Football Committee Chairman John Folmer.
“When we started off today, I thought there was no way in the world that we would get two 9-3 teams,” said John Folmer, Chairman of the Hyundai Sun Bowl Football Committee. “Now we have two 9-3 teams, Duke and Arizona State. This is a blessing and it’s a good thing for El Paso.
“Arizona State has been here before and everybody knows the name Duke, not only because of their basketball tradition but because they’ve been playing good football the last few years. We are all very excited and we think it’s going to be a great game and a great day for El Paso.”
The 2014 Hyundai Sun Bowl will mark the first meeting between the two teams.
“We are really excited to have Arizona State and Duke this year in the 81st Sun Bowl,” said Barry Kobren, President of the Sun Bowl Association. “We have two 9-3 teams; two very successful programs over the last two years. Arizona State is ranked 15th. Duke played in a great bowl game last year and had a great performance against Texas A&M. We expect it to be another high-scoring shootout like that game was last year. Both teams can score a lot of points so it should be a great game.”
Arizona State, 9-3 and 6-3 (Pac-12), returns to the foundation of their 27-bowl game history making its fifth appearance in the Hyundai Sun Bowl. The Sun Devils hold a 2-1-1 Sun Bowl record dating back to their first appearance in 1940. The Sun Devils’ last trip to the Sun City resulted in a 27-23 victory over Purdue. Before that, Arizona State defeated Iowa, 17-7, in 1997, fell to Western Reserve, 26-13, in 1941. The 1940 bowl game ended in a scoreless tie with Catholic University.
“This is a great opportunity for us to compete against a top-notch program and close out the 2014 season on a high note,” Arizona State Head Coach Todd Graham said. “We look forward to representing our university in El Paso with character, class and dignity.”
The 2014 Hyundai Sun Bowl will be the 28th bowl appearance for the Arizona State program and the third under third-year head coach Graham.
Led by the 2013 Pac-12 Coach of the Year, 15 All-Pac-12 honorees and a school-record 12 Pac-12 All-Academic recipients, the Sun Devils are looking to secure back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since Frank Kush notched double-digit victories from 1970-73.
Record-breaking quarterback and Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Taylor Kelly, 1,000-yard rusher D.J. Foster and 1,000-yard receiver Jaelen Strong pace an offense that ranks 18th in the nation in scoring offense and averages more than 440 yards per game. ASU’s defense ranks in the top eight in the nation in sacks and tackles for loss, and has forced 25 turnovers and scored five touchdowns this season.
“Our university and community have a number of ties to this great state,” Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson said.
“Nearly 11,000 Arizona State alums live in Texas, and more than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students from Texas currently attend ASU. We had nearly 25,000 Sun Devils travel to Dallas in 2013 to watch us take on Notre Dame and we can’t wait to see Sun Devil Nation out in full force in El Paso.”
Duke, 9-3 and 5-3 (ACC), will be making their first appearance at Sun Bowl stadium.
“To be selected to participate in the Sun Bowl is both a privilege and honor for our program,” Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe said. “The tradition of the Sun Bowl is well documented, and it is exciting to become a part of that prestigious history.
“Obviously, I could not be any more thrilled for our seniors, who together become the first class in Duke history to play in three bowl games. That means a lot, and it should. This group has earned this. Winning 25 games in three seasons and 19 games over the past two seasons hasn’t been easy.
Offensively, the Blue Devils are led by first team All-ACC selections in wide receiver Jamison Crowder and guard Laken Tomlinson. Crowder, who also received first team all-league honors as a return specialist, has 78 pass receptions for 952 yards and six touchdowns while sitting just seven catches shy of the ACC’s all-time record of 283 held by former Blue Devil receiver Conner Vernon. A two-time first team all-conference choice, Tomlinson was the runner-up in the balloting for the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, an honor presented annually to the league’s top blocker as voted on by the coaches.
On defense, three All-ACC picks – safety Jeremy Cash, safety DeVon Edwards and linebacker David Helton – highlight a unit that ranks among the nation’s top 20 in third down defense (18th), pass efficiency defense (20th) and scoring defense (20th). A two-time all-league pick and semifinalist for the 2014 Thorpe Award, Cash is the only defensive back in the nation with 100-plus tackles, 10-plus tackles for loss and five-plus sacks this season. Edwards, a third team all-league pick as a return specialist and honorable mention choice in the defensive backfield, has 119 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a team-high nine pass breakups to his credit this season. A first team All-ACC pick who leads the conference in tackles with 125, Helton earned first team Capital One Academic All-America selection last week.
“Having been fortunate enough to participate in the Sun Bowl, I know both programs will have a great experience,” added Cutcliffe. “What the El Paso community does in terms of embracing the teams and fans, along with its involvement with the game, is second to none. We look forward to representing the Atlantic Coast Conference and playing against another very deserving team in Arizona State. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Graham and what their staff has been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.”
The Blue Devils’ Hyundai Sun Bowl appearance is the 11th bowl appearance and third consecutive under Cutcliffe. Cutcliffe was an assistant at Tennessee at the 1984 Sun Bowl.
The 81st Hyundai Sun Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 27 at noon (MST). CBS Sports will broadcast the game for the 47th consecutive year, which is the longest running partnership between a network and a bowl game. Ticket prices for the game are $22, $32, $47, $57 and $62. Tickets can be purchased at the Sun Bowl Association office (915-533-4416, 800-915-BOWL or email), online at www.ticketmaster.com or at any TicketMaster outlet.
Beautiful ‘Sun City’ weather allowed close to 260,000 spectators to line up along Montana Avenue to enjoy the 78th edition of the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade on Thursday morning.
Children of all ages marveled at the almost 100 units that proceeded almost three miles on Montana Avenue from Ochoa Street to Copia Street to the highest-attended event in El Paso. The theme for the 78th Thanksgiving Day parade was “Gaming Mania: Video, Board Games and Arcade.”
The parade, televised locally on KTSM NBC Channel 9, featured floats, award-winning marching bands, equestrian teams, dancing groups and law enforcement from around the region.
The winners for each division will be announced on Sunday’s El Paso Times.
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Over $20,000 were raised to benefit The First Tee of Greater El Paso during the 40th Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic.
Rare autographed golf collectibles were auctioned off during the welcome dinner that brought 20 of the nation’s top collegiate golfers to El Paso. Western Refining Inc. pledged to match up to $10,000 of funds raised through the live auction.
“Western Refining has been a longtime supporter of the First Tee of El Paso program,” said Gary Hanson, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Western Refining and chairman of the All-American Golf Classic. “It is a great program that teaches the principles of life through golf. We are pleased to help contribute to this great program and all the benefits it provides to the young people of El Paso.”
Aside from auctioning golf collectibles, guests in attendance were able to make monetary contributions to benefit the nonprofit headed by LPGA veteran Kristi Albers.
“It’s very nice when the Western Refining community can come together and support a local program such as The First Tee of Greater El Paso,” said Albers. “The Sun Bowl Western Refining All-American Golf Classic allowed us to have a live auction of some of our pin flags from the four PGA tour majors this year.
“Western Refining matched every dollar that was won for each flag up to $10,000. I, personally, was left speechless by this auction as the support was overwhelming. It’s always nice to know that people notice the great things we are doing at The First Tee of Greater El Paso.”
Albers founded the organization in 2008 following her retirement as a golf professional.
The First Tee of Greater El Paso uses a 3,000 sq. foot clubhouse for their classroom activities. Children ages 5-18 from the El Paso area and its surrounding communities can join the organization for low annual and session fees. Scholarships are available to those who require it.
More information about the organization can be found on their website http://www.thefirstteegreaterelpaso.org, or by calling (915) 252-6511 or e-mailing info@thefirstteegreaterelpaso.org.
In 40 years, only a single champion of the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic held bragging rights as the only participant with multiple victories. On Sunday afternoon, University of New Mexico senior Gavin Green rewrote the history of the event becoming the second champion with back-to-back victories in the distinguished tournament.
“Today was a good day,” said Green. “I got off to a decent start but Rico (Hoey) pulled tied with me after one. I forgot about it and just moved on and played my game. I made some putts and that’s what it took to finish first.”
The Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, native, finished 14-under, seven strokes ahead of second-place finishers Jonathan Garrick (UCLA) and Rico Hoey (USC) to receive his second Lee Trevino trophy at the El Paso Country Club. Green carded a 66 in the final round following scores of 71 and 62 in the first two rounds on Saturday.
Aside from tying the tournament’s best individual round and best second round scores (62), Green also tied Sebastian Cappelen’s best-closing 36-hole total score record set in 2012 (128).
Green began his day with bogey on one, he immediately bounced back with a pair of birdies on two and three. Garrick and Hoey appeared to threaten Green’s quest for the repeat at times, but the 2014 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year carried over the momentum from Saturday’s finish to pull away with the win.
“It’s an awesome feeling for me to be able to say that, with all the big names that have won this tournament, I was able to do it twice.” Green added.
Clemson’s Chris Patton is the only other player to have accomplished the repeat feat at the All-American Classic with wins in 1988 and 1989.
Defending champion Gavin Green concluded day one of the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic atop the leaderboard with a two-stroke lead over Southern California’s Rico Hoey at the El Paso Country Club.
“I got off to a slow start, I was three over after four holes, but then I just restarted myself and my game and played good golf after that,” said Green. “I made a few putts and that changed my game. Going into tomorrow I just have to play my own game and try and stay patient.”
The New Mexico senior shot 71 in the first round before tying the tournament’s best individual round and best second round scores of 62. Green joins Billy Horschel (Florida, 2006) as the lowest second round score in tournament history. Aside from Green and Horschel, Luke List (Vanderbilt, 2006), and Webb Simpson (Wake Forest, 2007) have also shot rounds of 62 in the 40-year old tournament.
Green finished the day in style carding an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole, his final hole of the day.
Hoey is two shots back in second with scores of 69 and 66, while Missouri’s Ryan Zech stands in third at 5-under.
Third-round tee times are scheduled for 8:00 a.m. (MT) on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the El Paso Country Club.
Twenty of the nation’s top collegiate golfers will make their way to El Paso to compete in the 40th edition of the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic beginning Friday, Nov. 6, at the El Paso Country Club.
“Western is proud to again team with the Sun Bowl Association to welcome the most elite college golfers in the country to El Paso,” said Jeff Stevens, President and CEO of Western Refining. “For 40 years, this tournament has brought the best college golfers to our city. The alumni of this tournament are now the legends of the PGA Tour and this week El Pasoans will have the chance to see the future legends of golf perform here at El Paso Country Club.”
The 2014 field of All-Americans includes 14 of the top 100 amateur golfers in the world, according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings including third-ranked amateur Robby Shelton. The Alabama sophomore was tabbed the Southeastern Conference Player and Freshman of the Year en route to being named the 2014 National Freshman of the Year.
Returning to the All-American Classic is the 2013 defending champion Gavin Green from the University of New Mexico. Also making a second appearance in El Paso are Jonathan Garrick (UCLA), Jordan Niebrugge (Oklahoma State) and Ben Taylor (LSU).
The list of All-Americans includes five 2014 Palmer Cup representatives, four conference players of the year, four conference freshmen of the year honorees and a 2014 The Masters participant.
Throughout the years, many Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic competitors have gone on to pursue successful careers in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America and on the PGA Tour. Some of the past champions include Webb Simpson (2007), Ricky Barnes (2000), Notah Begay (1994), David Duval (1991), Matt Kuchar (1999), Davis Love III (1984), Chris Nallen (2003), Jerry Pate (1974), Nicholas Thompson (2004) and Tiger Woods (1995).
Alumni of the Golf Classic have gone on to earn more than $1.7 billion and win 634 events on the PGA Tour. In all, 145 colleges and universities have participated in the tournament, raising $753,000 in scholarship money for the participating institutions.
Each university represented by the Western Refining College All-Americans will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Festivities will begin on Friday, Nov. 7, at 9 a.m. with the Titleist Long Drive and PING Putting contests at the El Paso Country Club. The first two rounds will be played on Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning at 8 a.m. The final round is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. on Sunday. The event is open and free to the public.
2014 All-America Classic Field
David Boote
Stanford • Junior
Tied for third at the 2014 NCAA Championships … tied for sixth at the 2013 Marquette Invitational … tied for third at the Pac-12 Preview and tied for seventh at the Illini Invitational in 2012 … named to the 2012 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team … represented Wales in the 2014 Eisenhower Trophy Japan …tied for first at the 2014 European Amateur Team Championship and the 2012 Tillman Trophy … tied for sixth at the 2014 Porter Cup Niagara Falls … ranked 42nd in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings.
Lorens Chan
UCLA • Junior
Named to the 2014 All-Pac-12 Second Team … finished third at the 2014 Purdue Boilermakers … tied for third at the Erin Hills and tied for fourth at the U.S. Collegiate Championships as a sophomore … placed seventh at the Pac-12 Championships … took second at the 2013 CS San Marcos Invitational and tied for fourth at the 2014 Western Intercollegiate … three-time Director’s Honor Roll honoree … medalist at the 2012 U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying … tied for first at the 2012 Western Amateur … tied for second at the 2014 Pacific Coast Amateur.
Trevor Cone
Virginia Tech • Senior
Selected to the 2014 All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team and the All-East Region … claimed back-to-back victories at the Mission Inn Spring Spectacular and the Furman Intercollegiate as a junior … took runner-up honors at the Navy Spring Invitational in 2013 … named to the 2012 PING All-East Region Team, the All-ACC Academic Men’s Golf Team and the ACC Academic Honor Roll … qualified for the 2013 U.S. Amateur … advanced to the round of 32 at the 2013 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship … runner-up at the 2013 North Carolina Amateur.
Bryson Dechambeau
SMU • Junior
Garnered PING All-Central Region accolades as a freshman and sophomore … took medalist honors at the American Athletic Conference Championships … tied for ninth during stroke play at the NCAA Championships … runner-up at the National Invitational Tournament … finished third at the Fighting Illini Invitational, the Erin Hill Intercollegiate and the Gifford Collegiate … took runner-up honors at the 2013 Conference USA Championships as a freshman … named the C-USA Freshman of the Year … member of the 2014 United States Palmer Cup team … selected for Team USA at the World Amateur Team Championships … advanced to the round of 16 at the 2014 U.S. Amateur and quarterfinals of match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links … won the 2013 Trans-Mississippi Championship and the U.S. Amateur Qualifier … 13th in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings.
Grant Forrest
San Diego • Senior
Selected the West Coast Conference Player of the Year following a first-place finish at the 2014 WCC Championships … a three-time All-WCC team honoree … tabbed a 2014 Academic All-American … winner at the 2014 The Farms Invitational and the Redhawk Invitational … named a 2014 Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-American Scholar … finished first at the 2013 St. Mary’s Invitational … part of the 2013 WCC All-Academic Squad … honored as the WCC Freshman of the Year … represented Scotland in the 2014 World Amateur Championships … competed for Team Europe in the 2014 Palmer Cup … took first at the 2014 St. Andrews Links Trophy … finished first at the Scottish Amateur Championship in 2012 … 23rd in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Jonathan Garrick
UCLA • Junior
Earned Second-Team All-Pac-12 honors as a sophomore … tied for second at the 2014 Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters … making second-consecutive appearance at All-American Classic following honorable mention All-American accolades as a freshman … selected to the 2013 All-Pac-12 Freshman Team … winner at the Cal Poly Invitational in 2012 … tied for third at the 2013 Pac-12 Championships … tied for second at the 2013 NCAA West Regional … finished tied for first at the 2014 Canadian Amateur … two-time U.S. Amateur Round of 32 participant … tied for fifth at the Southern Amateur … reached the Sweet 16 at the Western Amateur.
Gavin Green
UNM • Senior
Returning to the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Classic to defend his 2013 title … tabbed the 2014 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year … a two-time PING All-West Region selection and MWC First Team honoree … winner at the 2014 Mountain West Conference Championships and the Lone Star Invitational … defended back-to-back wins at the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate with a third-consecutive win in 2014 … as a sophomore finished third at the MWC Championships and tied for second at the PING Golfweek Preview … became the first amateur to win an event on the Asian Development Tour following a top finish at the PGM Vacory Templer Park Championship … won the 2012 Malaysian Amateur Open … 18th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Rico Hoey
USC • Sophomore
Tabbed the 2014 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year selected to the 2014 All-West Region, All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Freshman first team honors … won the 2014 Gifford Collegiate … took second at The Goodwin and the San Diego Classic as a freshman … tied for third at the Western Intercollegiate and fourth at the U.S. Collegiate Championships … member of the 2014 Palmer Cup … finished first at the North & South … co-medalist at the 2014 U.S. Public Links … tied for fourth at the 2014 Sunnehanna Tournament … 30th on the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Bobby Holden
Redlands • Senior
Claimed the 2014 NCAA DIII Individual Championship … tabbed as the 2014 Jack Nicklaus Division III Player of the Year … elected to the 2014 All-Nicklaus Team … received the Arnold Palmer Award and Lee Fulmer Player of the Year accolades … earned first team All-American and all-west region first team recognition … a three-time Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team selection … selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team and All-District First Team … earned SCIAC All-Academic Men’s Golf team and GCAA Scholar All-America Honors … finished fifth at the 2014 Porter Cup.
Kyle Jones
Baylor • Senior
Winner at the 2013 and 2014 UTSA Oak Hills … finished second at the Querencia Cabo Collegiate in 2014 … posted a top-25 finish at the 2014 NCAA Pullman Regional … member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll … claimed the 2014 Southwest Amateur … reached the Round of 16 at the 2014 U.S. Amateur.
Chase Koepka
South Florida • Junior
Selected to the 2014 Southeast All-Region Team … medalist at the Kiawah Invitational … took second at the 2014 American Conference Championships … tabbed the 2013 BIG EAST Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year … finished second at the 2013 BIG EAST Championships … winner at the Reed Jones Invitational and AutoTrader.com Invitational in 2013 … earned BIG EAST Academic All-Conference honors in 2013 … finished third at the Players Amateur, fourth at the Rice Planters Amateur and reached the Round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur in 2013.
Jordan Niebrugge
Oklahoma State • Junior
Two-time honorable mention All-American making his second appearance at the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic … competed at the 2014 The Masters … earned back-to-back- All-Big 12 First Team and PING All-Central Region honors … finished first at the 2014 Amer Ari Invitational … tied for second at the NCAA Columbia Regional … was runner up at the 2013 Morris Williams Intercollegiate … named to the Big 12 All-Academic First Team … won the 2013 U.S. Amateur Public Links and the Western Amateur Championship … took top honors at the 2013 WSGA Match Play Championship … competed for the United States at the 2013 Spirit International … member of the 2014 Big 12 All-Academic First Team … 30th in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings.
J.T. Poston
Western Carolina • Senior
Claimed the 2014 Southern Conference Championship … a back-to-back PING All-East Region honoree … earned an at-large individual bid into the NCAA Championship … named the 2014 Southern Conference Men’s Golfer of the Year … a two-time All-Southern Conference Team, Southern Conference Spring Academic All-Conference Team and Southern Conference Honor Roll honoree … took first at the 2012 Southwestern Amateur … medalist at the 2013 Golfweek Program Challenge, the Cardinal Intercollegiate and the Hummingbird Intercollegiate … took second at the Wofford Invitational … tabbed to the 2012 Southern Conference All-Freshman Team.
Roman Robledo
Houston • Senior
Selected to the 2014 All-American Athletic Conference Team … two-time All-Conference USA Team … winner at the Bayou City Intercollegiate, the Cabo Collegiate and the Border Olympics in 2014 … also took medalist honors at the 2013 Conference USA Championships … finished first at the 2013 Northern Collegiate … reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 U.S. Amateur Championships … 44th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Jonathan Sanders
Washington • Junior
Tabbed to the 2014 PING All-Region Team … member of the 2014 All-Pac 12 Second Team … claimed the 2014 NCAA Raleigh Regional crown … finished first at the Bandon Dunes Championships … Tied for fourth at the Trans-Mississippi Championships … tied for third at the 2013 Pac Coast Amateur.
Robby Shelton
Alabama • Sophomore
2014 National Freshman of the Year … named the 2014 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year … member of the All-SEC First Team… finished tied for third at the NCAA Championships as a freshman … also finished third at the SEC Championship … won the Olympia Fields Fighting Illini Invitational and the Puerto Rico Classic … took co-medalist honors at the Olympia Fields Fighting Illini Invitational … tied for first at the Linger Longer Invitational … finished third at the SMU Querencia Cab Collegiate … participated in the 2014 Palmer Cup … qualified for the 2014 U.S. Open … third in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Adam Svensson
Barry • Junior
Named the DII National Player of the Year … selected to the Golf Coaches Association of America All-Nicklaus Team … a two-time DII PING First Team All-American and All-South Region … tabbed to the All-Sunshine State Conference First Team and All-SSC Tournament Team … won seven tournaments setting DII national records for a sophomore … broke school record for tournament titles in career in season winning the SSC Championship, Brickyard Invitational, Shark Invitational, Matlock Classic, St. Edward’s Invitational, Bobcat Invitational and the Buccaneer Invitational … won the DII NCAA Championships match plays semifinals … tabbed the 2013 Phil Mickelson award winner … named the 2013 SSC Freshman of the Year and to the All-SSC First Team … 38th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Ben Taylor
LSU • Senior
Making second appearance at the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic … participated in 2013 as the DII National Player of the Year … tied for sixth at the 2014 NCAA Championships … honored as the Louisiana Collegiate Newcomer of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association … a two-time DII First Team All-American … tabbed the 2012 Jack Nicklaus Award winner … won back-to-back Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year honors … claimed the DII Southeast Regional crown as a sophomore … took individual medalist honors at the SSC Championships as a freshman … member of the Team Europe Palmer Cup in 2013 … 2013 U.S. Amateur qualifier.
Scott Vincent
Virginia Tech • Senior
Selected to the 2014 Jack Nicklaus Team … two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team and All-East Region First Team honoree … set a school record with three individual victories for the season with wins at the Golfweek Conference Challenge, VCU Shootout and the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate … named to the 2012 and 2013 All-ACC Academic Men’s Team Golf and ACC Academic Honor Roll … finished first at the 2014 Players Amateur.
Ryan Zech
Missouri • Senior
Finished ninth at the 2014 NCAA Championship … finished first at the 2014 Turning Stone Intercollegiate … won the 2012 Mizzou Intercollegiate … finished 14th at the NCAA Columbia Regional … 19th at the Southeastern Conference Championships … took runner-up honors at the Missouri Amateur in 2013.
Three El Pasoans returned to the Sun City from Arlington, Texas, with first-place medals around their necks following the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Team Championships at the AT&T Stadium this past weekend.
Anthony Favela, age 9, Jasper Sanchez, age 13, and Edward Duran, age 15, finished first in their respective divisions. Favela, a student at Loma Terrace Elementary, topped the 8-9 year old division with a total distance of 159’5”. Sanchez, a student at Sybert Middle School, won the 12-13 division with a score of 310’9”. Duran, a freshman at Franklin High School, claimed the oldest boys’ division with total distance of 269’10”.
“Going to Arlington to represent El Paso in this competition was a great experience for me,” said Duran. “More than the competition, I had a chance to go to my first NFL game and meet great people. I was surprised to win, but it’s a great feeling to know we represented El Paso well. I’m very appreciative to everyone at the Sun Bowl Association and Price’s Creameries for giving me this experience.”
The competition took place on Saturday evening and all participants were honored during pregame ceremonies prior to the Dallas Cowboys’ game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
All three champions will now await results from all Team Championships. The top four winners of each age group advance to the National Finals.
The sectional competition is hosted annually by the Sun Bowl Association in conjunction with the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department and sponsored by Price’s Creameries.
Five El Paso champions from the Price’s Creameries Give ‘Em Five NFL Punt, Pass and Kick will travel to Arlington, Texas, to represent the Sun City at the Dallas Cowboys game this Sunday.
“We are very proud of our local contestants coming out on top of the west Texas region,” said Bernie Olivas, Executive Director of the Sun Bowl Association. “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the homegrown talent we have in El Paso at a statewide level. We are lucky to partner up with Price’s Creameries and the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department to give this opportunity to these young El Pasoans.”
Representing the 8-9 year-old division are El Paso champions Anthony Favela and Aryanna Malfavon. Favela attends Loma Terrace Elementary and Aryanna is a student at Glen Cove Elementary.
The 12-13 age division will be represented by repeat champions Beth Baumler and Jasper Sanchez. Baumler, an eighth grader at Desert View Middle School, won the west Texas region as a nine-year old and represented El Paso at a game in 2011. Sanchez, an eighth-grade student at Bill Sybert Middle School, will be making his third appearance at a Cowboys’ game. He finished second in 2012 and third as a 10-year old in 2010.
Edward Duran, a freshman starting defensive tackle at Franklin High School, will make the trip immediately following his final football game of the season on Saturday. Duran, along with the rest of the El Paso representatives will compete that evening at AT&T Stadium. All state competitors will be recognized during a pregame ceremony at the Cowboys game.
The annual competition is hosted by the Sun Bowl Association in conjunction with the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department and is open to all boys and girls ages 6-15.
Cartoon Network’s Scooby-Doo and Shaggy are coming to the 78th Annual FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade on Thursday, November 27. The two characters will be hosted on FirstLight’s parade float when the parade begins at 10 a.m. from Montana and Ochoa Streets.
“The FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade is a great El Paso tradition that is loved by people of all ages, and I understand that Scooby-Doo and Shaggy are excited to join us,” said Karl Murphy, President and CEO of FirstLight Federal Credit Union. “FirstLight is proud to sponsor the parade and to be able to bring these popular characters to the people of El Paso and Las Cruces.”
Scooby-Doo and Shaggy will be riding on the FirstLight Federal Credit Union float, built by the employees of the credit union. The appearance of the popular mystery-solving duo is contracted through Time Warner Cable of El Paso.
Scooby-Doo and Shaggy will also appear at the Outlet Shoppes on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. FirstLight Federal Credit Union and Time Warner Cable invite fans of the popular Cartoon Network characters to join them for photos and fun.
Review Stand tickets for the parade can be purchased now at FirstLight Federal Credit Union branches, Circle K locations and the Sun Bowl Association office. For more information call (915) 533-4416.
Scooby-DoO, Shaggy and all Scooby-Doo marks and images associated with Scooby-Doo, Shaggy are the property of Hanna-Barbera and/or Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved.
Mike Price, the 1997 National Coach of the Year and 2001 Hyundai Sun Bowl game participant, has been selected as the 2014 Legend of the Sun Bowl.
“Mike Price is a true legend in the coaching fraternity and it is only fitting that he be inducted as a Legend of the Sun Bowl,” said Barry Kobren, Sun Bowl Association President. “Upon retirement, only five active coaches had more wins than Coach Price. Before he became an institution coaching the Miners, he left his mark on the Sun Bowl leading his Washington State Cougars to victory in the 68th edition of our game. We are truly honored to add Mike Price’s name to the Legends of the Sun Bowl.”
Price will be inducted at the 2014 Rotary Sun Bowl Team Luncheon on Dec. 26 at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center.
“I’m really surprised and humbled by this wonderful honor,” said Price. “The Sun Bowl is one of the reasons why El Paso is such a special place and I love it so much.
“The Sun Bowl game was a great start for the 2002 Washington State campaign. Ending the 2001 season on a high note carried over to the next year when we had a Heisman Trophy candidate in our quarterback, we climbed the national rankings and culminated the year at the Rose Bowl. It was a feel-good thing for myself and our team back then. It is a humbling award for me now.”
Selected as the 2001 Pac-10 Coach of the Year after finishing second in conference standings, Price led the Washington State Cougars to a 33-27 win over Purdue at the Sun Bowl game. After giving up a touchdown and allowing an onside kick that pulled the Boilermakers within six points, the Washington State defense forced Purdue to turn the ball over on downs with 1:17 left to play in the game. The win catapulted the Cougars to a No. 10 ranking in the AP and Coaches’ polls finishing 10-2 for the season. Price and his Cougars finished the 2002 season with a bid to the Rose Bowl as Pac-10 Co-Champions and a 10-3 record.
Price’s 2001 appearance at Sun Bowl Stadium was not his last as the 1997 National Coach of the Year returned to El Paso to take over the UTEP program in 2004. In his first year, Price engineered the country’s best turnaround bringing the Miners to unprecedented national prominence.
The Everett, Wash., native began his head coaching career at Weber State in 1981 where he compiled a 46-44 record. He was hired at Washington State in 1989 where he remained until 2002 assembling an 83-79 record after 14 years. While at Washington State and UTEP, 25 of his student-athletes earned All-American honors while 47 received first-team all-conference recognition. After nine seasons in El Paso, and 31 overall as head coach, Price retired in 2012.
“The spirit of the Legend of the Sun Bowl award encompasses an individual who has dedicated his life to advancement of college football,” said Bernie Olivas, Executive Director of the Sun Bowl Association. “Coach Price is highly respected in the college football ranks. More than his participation at the Sun Bowl game, Coach Price is a staple in the El Paso community. We couldn’t be any more proud to honor his career as one of our Legends.”
Price is the 30th member of the elite fraternity of the Legends of the Sun Bowl that includes Cornelius Bennett, Tom Brookshier, Terry Donahue, Vince Dooley, Tony Dorsett, John H. Folmer, Tony Franklin, Hayden Fry, Ken Heineman, Priest Holmes, Don James, Major Harris, Charley Johnson, Harrison Kohl, Verne Lundquist, Johnny Majors, Jimmy Rogers, Jr., Gerald J. Rubin, Craig Silver, Bill Stevens, Pat Summerall, Barry Switzer, Grant Teaff, Derrick Thomas, Thurman Thomas, Pat Tillman, Alex Van Pelt, Jesse Whittenton, and most recently Blake Brockermeyer.
The Rotary Club of El Paso uses net proceeds to support its annual Children’s Christmas Party (held annually since 1922), which treats some 4,500 Head Start children to a holiday fiesta at the El Paso County Coliseum. Other youth programs include Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and Youth Appreciation Day scholarships.
The 81st Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 27 at noon (MST). CBS Sports will broadcast the game for the 47th consecutive year. Ticket prices for the game are $22, $32, $47, $57 and $62. Tickets can be purchased at the Sun Bowl Association office (915-533-4416, 800-915-BOWL), online at www.ticketmaster.com or at any TicketMaster outlet.
Over 100 children from the area participated in the Price’s Creameries Give ‘Em Five NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition presented by the Sun Bowl Association and El Paso Parks and Recreation at Sun Bowl Stadium on Thursday night.
The top four first-place finishers in each division in the West Texas region will advance to the Team Championships. The Team Championships are scheduled for the Dallas Cowboys game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Arlington, Texas.
If competitors from the El Paso area advance to the Team Championships, the Sun Bowl Association and Price’s Creameries will cover hotel, air and ground transportation expenses for the participant and a parent.
Complete Results: 2014 PPK Results
Tickets for the 81st edition of the Hyundai Sun Bowl are now available for purchase.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting ticketmaster.com, any Ticketmaster locations throughout El Paso or by calling the Sun Bowl Association at (915) 533-4416.
Tickets may also be purchased and set up on an annually renewable account by calling the Sun Bowl Association office.
Prices for this year’s bowl game are $22, $32, $47, $57 and $62. Purchases made through Ticketmaster will incur additional service charges.
This year’s Hyundai Sun Bowl game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 27, at Sun Bowl Stadium and will pit selections from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Pac-12 Conference. The ACC representative will be this year’s home team.
The Sun Bowl Association and the YMCA of El Paso are giving football fans around the country a chance to win tickets to the 2015 College Football National Championship by participating in the YMCA Hyundai Sun Bowl National Championship Challenge.
“We are entering a new era in college football with the new playoff system, an era every college football fan has been waiting for and we wanted to find a way to reward fans for their continued support of college football,” said Bernie Olivas, Executive Director of the Sun Bowl Association. “Fans will not only have weekly chances to win tickets to the Hyundai Sun Bowl, but every contestant will also have an opportunity to win tickets for the national championship game.”
Beginning with college football games set to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 25, contestants can predict the winners of 10 predetermined Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and PAC-12 games, the Hyundai Sun Bowl conference affiliates. With each game valued at one point, a weekly winner will be determined by the individual who accumulates the most points. In addition, contestants will be asked to estimate the total points scored by both teams of a predetermined game. In case of a tiebreaker, the contestant with the most accurate prediction of total points scored in that predetermined game will be the weekly winner.
The 10 weekly winners will win two 2014 Hyundai Sun Bowl tickets, one month free adult membership to the YMCA of El Paso, and will automatically advance to “Championship Week” in which they will predict the winners of each college football conference championship game. The contestant with the most points will win airfare, hotel and tickets for two to the National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas along with a one-year family membership to the YMCA of El Paso.
A second place will receive two Captain’s Club tickets to the 2014 Hyundai Sun Bowl game along with a parking pass, two VIP Pre-Game Party tent tickets, and a one-year adult membership to the YMCA of El Paso. One third place winner will receive four preferred section tickets and a parking pass to the 2014 Hyundai Sun Bowl game, as well as a six-month adult membership to the YMCA of El Paso. One fourth and one-fifth place winner will each receive two touchdown section tickets to the 2014 Hyundai Sun Bowl game and garage parking passes along with a three-month and one-month adult membership to the YMCA of El Paso, respectively.
Football fans must register for the YMCA Sun Bowl National Championship Challenge by logging into http://sunbowl.org/contest. For complete rules and regulations please visit http://sunbowl.org/contest/terms.
Following his recent induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, El Pasoan Nolan Richardson will return to the Sun City to lead the 78th edition of the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade as grand marshal on Thanksgiving Day.
“It’s an honor to have Nolan Richardson as the grand marshal for the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade,” said Karl Murphy, President and CEO of FirstLight Federal Union. “He was born in El Paso and played for Don Haskins. Furthermore, being inducted into the hall of fame for winning a championship at every level shows his amazing talent as a coach and mentor. It’s a pleasure to have him come back to El Paso.”
Born and raised in El Paso, Richardson attended Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) where he played two years under fellow hall of famer Don Haskins.
He began his coaching career at Bowie High School before moving to the collegiate ranks to Western Texas College winning the National Junior College championship in 1980. He was the head coach at Tulsa from 1981 to 1985, leading Tulsa to the NIT championship in 1981.
In 1985, Richardson was named head coach at the University of Arkansas. He led the Razorbacks to the NCAA Final Four three times and claiming the national title in 1994. For that he was named the 1994 National Coach of the Year.
“Nolan Richardson is a true El Paso success story,” said Barry Kobren, President of the Sun Bowl Association. “The Sun Bowl is honored to have him as the grand marshal for this year’s First Light Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade.
“Coach Richardson grew up in the Segundo Barrio and became one of the best athletes the City of El Paso has ever produced,” added Kobren. “Throughout the years he has always remembered his hometown having returned here frequently to help the community. El Paso and the Sun Bowl are proud of Coach Richardson’s accomplishments and we are pleased that he will be here Thanksgiving to participate in one of the city’s greatest traditions.”
His teams typically played an up tempo game with intense pressure defense – a style that was known as “40 Minutes of Hell.” He is the winningest coach in Arkansas history, compiling a 389-169 record in 17 seasons. Coach Richardson is the only head coach to win a Junior College National Championship, the NIT, and the NCAA Tournament.
“I have a feeling of such huge, tremendous pride-that the generosity of the Sun Bowl organization has selected me as their grand marshal of this very historic parade,” said Richardson. “I am overwhelmed with excitement and I look forward to being part of one of the greatest events in El Paso.”
Richardson served as head coach of the Panamanian National Team from 2005 to 2007. He was selected as the head coach for the Mexican National Team in 2007. In 2009 Coach Richardson assumed the head coaching position for the WNBA Tulsa Shock.
The 78th Annual FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade is November 28th 7at 10 a.m.
Review Stand tickets for the parade can be purchased now at FirstLight Federal Credit Union branches, Circle K locations and the Sun Bowl Association office. For more information call (915) 533-4416.
The Sun Bowl Association announced the coronation of the 2014 Sun Queen and Sun Court on Friday evening at the El Paso Country Club.
Rebecca Gutierrez, the daughter of Raul and Diana Gutierrez, was crowned the 2014 Sun Queen. She is a senior elementary education major at the University of Texas at El Paso.
A graduate of Americas High School, Gutierrez graduated in the top-10 percent of her class and was tabbed a Distinguished Achievement Diploma Graduate. While at Americas, she was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, the Business Professionals of America and a district and state winner as part of the DECA International Association of Marketing Students. Gutierrez was a two-time regional qualifier as part of the varsity cross country team and a district champion as member of the varsity basketball team.
She is the recipient of the Women’s Fund of El Paso and Center for Civic Engagement Scholarship, a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity and the Order of Omega Greek Leadership Honor Society.
Gutierrez is currently residing as the President of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education at UTEP. She volunteers her time to UTEP’s Project Move, the UTEP Women’s Resource Center, the Lee and Beulah Moor Children’s Home, and the Center for Civic Engagement.
The 2014 Lady-In-Waiting is Elizabeth Vicencio, daughter of Rogelio Jr. and Irma Vicencio. She is a junior biological science major at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The Eastwood High School alum was a member of the National Honor Society, an all-academic honoree as part of the volleyball and softball teams, and captain of the softball squad.
Vicencio is a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s Fraternity and is involved with the Susan G. Komen foundation, the North American Food Drive, the Multiple Sclerosis Association, UTEP’s Project Move and Cheer for the Cure.
The 2014 Sun Princesses are Daniela Alvidrez, Cassidy Daw, Amanda Guillen, Christina Gutierrez, Cassandra Hernandez, Kayla Mehl, Brittany Prater, Destinee Russell, Cindy Van and Elizabeth Villalba.
Judging is based on poise, appearance, personality, communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of El Paso. Contestants must be enrolled as full-time students. The coronation has been a tradition in El Paso since the first collegiate Sun Bowl game in 1936.
Sun Court members serve as ambassadors for the Sun Bowl Association, as well as for the City of El Paso. The Sun Queen and Sun Princesses will attend various community events, such as the Hyundai Sun Bowl, FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade, WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic, Academy Sports + Outdoors Sun Bowl International Soccer Tournament, Price’s Creameries Sun Bowl youth camps and clinics and other various events throughout the community.
The Sun Bowl Association and WestStar Bank are pleased to announce the field for the 2014 WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. North Dakota State, Kent State and Alcorn State will join UTEP on Dec. 21-22, 2014 at the Don Haskins Center.
“We are truly honored to be a part of this special event and our relationship with the Sun Bowl Association is something we value tremendously,” says Larry L. Patton, CEO and President of WestStar Bank. “El Paso has been home to this iconic holiday basketball tournament since 1961, and we’re pleased to be a part of the tournament’s history and in continuing a tradition that marks our commitment and involvement in the community.”
North Dakota State and Kent State will open the 53rd edition of the invitational with a 5 p.m. tip-off on Sunday, Dec. 21, to be followed by UTEP vs. Alcorn State at 7 p.m. The consolation game is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 22, at 5 p.m. prior to the championship game at 7 p.m.
“We are excited to be participating in the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the 53rd year and look forward to creating more holiday basketball memories for the people of El Paso,” said UTEP Head Coach Tim Floyd.
North Dakota State was one of the Cinderella stories of the 2014 NCAA basketball tournament with their last second bracket-busting win over Oklahoma. NDSU, coming off a 26-7 campaign, will be one of the highest ranked teams to participate in the Sun Bowl Invitational finishing the regular season ranked 35th in the final RPI standings.
The Bison had one of its best seasons in program history after sweeping The Summit League regular season and tournament titles to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Bison finished the year ranked first in the nation in team field goal percentage (50.5) as the only Division I team over 50 percent. North Dakota State’s free throw percentage (75.1) ranked 16th in the country. With the nation’s 37th-toughest schedule, the Bison finished the 2013-14 season with the 20th-best winning percentage (.788) and was one of just 22 teams with over 10 road wins.
NDSU will be led by first year head coach Dave Richman, the associate head coach for the past seven years has spent a total of 11 seasons in Fargo. North Dakota State set single season program records for field goal percentage and blocks (145). With 50 victories over the last two seasons, the Bison had the most successful two-year stretch in program history.
Kent State returns to the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational having won the 1999 edition of the event with a 90-80 victory over UTEP in the championship game. That began a string of unprecedented success for the Mid-American Conference power that included 10 consecutive 20-win seasons, five NCAA tournament appearances and an Elite Eight run in 2002. KSU, always atop conference standings, produced five MAC titles during this span and has competed in postseason play 14 of the last 16 seasons (5 NCAA, 6 NIT and 3 CIT).
Kent State will head to El Paso following a 16-16 season as coach Rob Senderoff enters his fourth year at the helm of the program. The Golden Flash return 2014 All-Mid-American Conference Honorable Mention selection Kris Brewer. The senior guard led the team in scoring averaging 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Brewer is joined by fellow senior guard Derek Jackson. A starter for 31 of 32 games, Jackson averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and two assists per game while posting 17 double-digit games.
Coach Senderoff has added transfer guard Deon Edwin. A First Team All-Region IX selection, Edwin scored a Laramie County single-season record 675 points in his lone year at the school. He averaged 21.8 points per game, which ranked 10th in the country, while also leading the Golden Eagles in rebounding at 7.4 rebounds per game and handing out 3.0 assists per game.
Alcorn State, under the direction of head coach Luther Riley, will make its second consecutive appearance in the Sun Bowl Invitational. The Braves are led by first team All-SWAC and 2013 WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational All-Tournament Team selection LeAntwan Luckett. Luckett paced the Braves in scoring averaging 16.0 points per game shooting just over 42 percent from the field. Luckett scored over 20 points in nine games and scored in double figures 26 times in 31 games. Senior forward Octavius Brown was second on the team in scoring averaging 13.5 points per game while leading the Braves in rebounding with 6.5 rebounds per game.
Sophomore forward Marquis Vance averaged 10.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures in 15 of the 31 games the Braves played during the 2013-14 season.
UTEP, 78-22 all-time in the tournament claiming 30 titles, will host this year’s classic for the 53rd year.The Miners head into the 2014 season following what may have represented one of Coach Floyd’s finest coaching performance as he was named the NABC UPS District 11 Coach of the Year. With lone point guard C.J. Cooper on the roster forced to play 38 or 40 minutes, the Miners came within one win of tying for the Conference USA regular season championship.
UTEP won its first five league road games for the first time in school history and had an eight-game C-USA winning streak, its second-longest since joining C-USA, from mid-January to mid-February. The Miners had three All-Conference players, including returning forward and C-USA Freshman of the Year Vince Hunter. UTEP led Conference USA in both field goal percentage (.465) and field goal percentage defense (.382), and the Miners rated among the national leaders in both field goal percentage defense (sixth) and three-point field goal percentage defense (ninth, .295).
“We are very excited about this year’s field for the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational,” said Barry Kobren, Sun Bowl Association President and Basketball Chairman. North Dakota State is coming off their best season in program history and a win over Oklahoma in the NCAA tournament. Kent State is a perennial power in the MAC and is a fixture in post season play.
“We are also excited that Alcorn State and Coach Luther Riley will be returning to El Paso to join coaches Dave Richman (NDSU) and Rob Senderhoff (KSU),” Kobren added. “Coach Riley has some great players returning and has added a great recruiting class at Alcorn State."
North Dakota State will be making their first appearance in the event, while Kent State and Alcorn State will both be returning for their second trip to the nation’s oldest holiday tournament.
Tickets
Fans can reserve their tickets beginning Oct. 1 by calling the Sun Bowl Association office at (915-533-4416 or 800-915-BOWL). Tickets are also included in UTEP season ticket packages.
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The Sun Bowl Association has elected Barry Kobren as President for the 2014-15 year.
“The Sun Bowl Association is comprised of dedicated individuals with the common goal of providing quality events for the El Paso community while showcasing the best our city has to offer,” said Executive Director Bernie Olivas.
“With nearly 30 years of volunteer experience, Barry Kobren exemplifies the standards of our organization and we are very proud to announce his leadership for the upcoming year.”
Kobren, along with the 2014 Board of Directors and Advisors, were officially introduced Thursday at the Oasis Bistro and Lounge in Downtown El Paso.
An active member of the Sun Bowl Association since 1988, Barry Kobren began volunteering as a team host for the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. In 1994, he was named Team Host Committee Captain and served as Tournament Chairman in 1998. Kobren has also served as the Tournament Selection Chairman since 1997. He was originally appointed to the Sun Bowl Association’s board of directors in 1993 and has served, at different times, as Vice Chairman Basketball, Treasurer, Executive Vice President and President Elect.
In 2012, the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational Most Valuable Player trophy was named the Barry Kobren Most Valuable Player Trophy to recognize the 25-years of Kobren’s dedication to the organization.
“Love for my community, and the Sun Bowl specifically, was instilled in me at a young age,” said Kobren. “Some of my earliest memories are of attending the football game, basketball tournament and the parade. As a child, I remember my father, Sam Kobren, working at home on the script for the Sun Bowl luncheon. He also served for many years on the CBS Host Committee and the Sponsor Host Committee.
“There has been a Kobren involved in the Sun Bowl for over 50 years and even my son has been a basketball host committee member making it three generations of Sun Bowl Kobrens.”
A lifelong El Pasoan, Kobren graduated from Coronado High School in 1980 and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in 1984 Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is the Senior Vice President of Sanders Partners Incorporated where he has been since 1990.
Kobren has been active in the El Paso community in civic and religious organizations. He is a past president of Congregation B’nai Zion where he served on the board in numerous capacities. Kobren is also a past president of the El Paso Chapter of the Ex-Students Association of the University of Texas at Austin and a past chairman of the El Paso Cancer Treatment Center Benefit.
“I am looking forward to the coming year and working with the great staff at the Sun Bowl and all of the exceptional volunteers,” added Kobren. “I want to thank my wife, Robin, without whose support and understanding all these years, I would not have been able to reach this day.”
Kobren and his wife Robin, a teacher, have a son, Aaron who is also a past host committee member for the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.
Joining the 81st president of the association on the board of directors are Marilyn Munden (President Elect), Steve Beltran (Executive Vice President), Walker Crowson (Immediate Past President), Jimmy Rogers, Jr. (Chair Emeritus), Natalia Flores (Secretary), Ric Siefkas (Treasurer), Bryan Crowe (VP Community Relations), Stuart Sliva (VP Marketing), Scott Mann (VP Legal Affairs), Wayne Thornton (VP Public Relations), Bill Coon (VP Volunteers), Linda Smith (Coronation), John101 Folmer (Football Chairman), Jim Lawrence (Parade Chairman), Art Muñoz (Special Events Chairman), Asher Feinberg (CBS Host Chairman), Gary Hanson (Golf Chairman), Allen Rystad, John Aranda, Larry Duncan, Robert Dunlop, Michael Guerra, Drew Hawley, Mary Kipp, Andre Miranda, Victor Rueda, James O. Stewart III, Ernest Eisenberg, Tamara Gladkowski and Travis Hughes.
The 2014 Sun Bowl Association Board of Advisors is made up of Amen Ayoub, Frank Bates, Ruben Batista, Bill Blaziek, Edward Davis, Richard Dayoub, Linda East, Sarah Enriquez, Veronica Escobar, David Forti, Brian Kennedy, Monica Lombraña, Tommy Lewis, Charles Lopez, Jr., Agustin Montes, David Morales, Chris Mott, Major General (USA Ret.) John Oblinger, Jean Offutt, Cindy Ramos Davidson, Terri Rangel, Jimmy Rogers III, Mike Rogers, Mike Rosales, Victor Salazar, Bob Stull, Brad Taylor, Pat Valdez-Rios, Joe Valenzuela, Charles Vass and Mario Vega.
Twenty-nine of the 97 golfers competing at this week’s Masters Tournament have made the trip to El Paso to take part in the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic. Three of the All-America alumni taking Augusta National Golf Course have already earned their green jacket. Craig Stadler and Mark O’Meara won the event in 1982 and 1998, respectively; Phil Mickelson claimed Masters’ titles in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
At 60 years of age, Stadler is the oldest All-America alum to compete at the 2014 Masters. He competed in the inaugural All-America Classic in 1974. The youngest All-America alum taking the big stage in Georgia tomorrow comes from the latest group of All-Americans to visit the Sun City. Oklahoma State sophomore Jordan Niebrugge is one of the youngest competitors this week.
Below is the full list of All-America Alumni in the Masters:
Jonas Blixt (Florida State – 2007)
Stewart Cink (Georgia Tech – 1993)
Tim Clark (North Carolina State – 1996, 1997)
Brendon de Jonge (Virginia Tech – 2002)
Jason Dufner (Auburn – 1997)
Harris English (Georgia – 2009, 2010)
Derek Ernst (UNLV – 2010)
Matt Every (Florida – 2003, 2005)
Rickie Fowler (Oklahoma State – 2008)
Jim Furyk (Arizona – 1990)
Lucas Glover (Clemson – 2000)
Bill Haas (Wake Forest – 2001)
Russell Henley (Georgia – 2008, 2009, 2010)
Billy Horschel (Florida – 2006, 2007, 2008)
Dustin Johnson (Coastal Carolina – 2005, 2006)
Chris Kirk (Georgia – 2005, 2006)
Matt Kuchar (Georgia Tech – 1999)
Graeme McDowell (UAB – 2001)
Phil Mickelson (ASU – 1987)
Ryan Moore (UNLV – 2002, 2003)
Jordan Niebrugge (Oklahoma State – 2013)
Mark O’Meara (Long Beach State – 1976)
Patrick Reed (Augusta State – 2010)
Webb Simpson (Wake Forest – 2005, 2007)
Brandt Sneder (Vanderbilt – 2002)
Jordan Spieth (Texas – 2011)
Craig Stadler (USC – 1974)
Scott Stallings (Tennessee Tech – 2006)
Nick Watney (Fresno State – 2001)
The Sun Bowl Association and Hyundai Motor America announced the extension of their partnership for six more years making the title sponsorship the longest running agreement for the nation’s second oldest bowl game.
“We are grateful to the good people at Hyundai Motor America and, certainly, Oscar Leeser for continuing their support of the Sun Bowl and El Paso,” said Walker Crowson, Sun Bowl Association President. “Our new sponsorship agreement with Hyundai allows the Sun Bowl to continue to host El Paso’s biggest event and position our game for future growth and success.
“We have been so pleased with our relationship with Hyundai and are excited to continue to work with Hyundai and Oscar for another six years.”
The six-year agreement runs in conjunction with contract renewals with the Pac-12 Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) set through 2019.
“I have always wanted to make a difference in my community, and I believe through my sponsorship of the Sun Bowl game, we are doing just that,” said Mayor Oscar Leeser, owner of Hyundai of El Paso. “The Hyundai Sun Bowl produces the largest economic impact of any annual event in El Paso, and I am proud to be able to help ensure that the Hyundai Sun Bowl continues to have a significant impact on the El Paso economy.
“All of this would not be possible without the help and support from Dave Zuchouski, President of Hyundai Motor America,” added Leeser. “Hyundai Motor America continues to have confidence in the El Paso community and the Hyundai Sun Bowl.”
The 81st Hyundai Sun Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 27 at noon (MST) at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso. CBS Sports will broadcast the game for the 47th consecutive year. The 2014 edition of one of El Paso’s longest-standing traditions will once again pit teams from the Pac-12 and ACC in a new selection format.
The Hyundai Sun Bowl Football Selection Committee will share the third through sixth selections from the ACC with the Belk Bowl, the New Era Pinstripe Bowl and either the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl or the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. The Discover Orange Bowl will continue to have the conference champion or the first selection followed by the Russell Athletic Bowl.
On the Pac-12 side, the Hyundai Sun Bowl will have the fourth selection following the newly-formed College Football Playoff.
“The success of events like the Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso is attributed to the monumental support of sponsors like Hyundai Motor America and Mayor Oscar Leeser,” said Bernie Olivas, Executive Director of the Sun Bowl Association. “We are delighted to continue our relationship with a sponsor that understands the positive impact the game brings to our community.
“The contract extensions with the conferences and Hyundai ensure more years of exciting football matchups in El Paso and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue this tradition.”
About Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai, which was founded as Hyundai Auto Service in Korea in 1946, has established an American presence and over half the cars Hyundai sells in the U.S. are made in the U.S. Hyundai has a technologically sophisticated manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Ala., engineering facilities in Michigan, plus design, research and testing grounds in California. All of which provides around 5,000 jobs for American automotive workers. With more than 20,000 employees at dealerships and 6,000 workers employed by various vendors, Hyundai has created a micro-economy.
About the Sun Bowl Association
The Sun Bowl is one of the oldest college football bowl games in the nation. First played in 1935, the Hyundai Sun Bowl now matches teams from the ACC and Pac-12 conferences. Through the years, the Sun Bowl has featured many college football stars that went on to outstanding pro football careers. The list includes names such as Tony Dorsett, Barry Sanders, Don Maynard, Derrick Thomas, Thurman Thomas, Carson Palmer, LaDainian Tomlinson and Priest Holmes
Over the past 80 years, the Sun Bowl has drawn more than two million fans through its gates and has averaged 50,104 fans a year over this past decade, including four sellouts in 2004 (51,288), 2005 (50,426), 2009 (53,713) and 2010 (54,021).
One of the highlight matchups in the game’s 80-year history came in the inaugural year of Hyundai’s sponsorship. The renewal of the Notre Dame and Miami rivalry for the 2010 Sun Bowl game resulted in a sellout in less than 24 hours and the largest crowd to ever assemble at Sun Bowl Stadium.
The Sun Bowl Association produces additional major community events, such as the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade, the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Sun Bowl International Soccer Tournament, the Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta and the Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic.
While we enjoy Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday afternoon, the Hyundai Sun Bowl family and fans can do it with a little sense of pride knowing that 16 players and coaches on that field are part of our Sun Bowl history!
Here are the details:
Ten players and coaches from the Seattle Seahawks are Sun Bowl alumni, six Denver Broncos have joined us in El Paso.
The Seahawks
Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril (Purdue) and tight end Zach Miller (ASU) met on the gridiron in the 2004 Sun Bowl as the Sun Devils edged Purdue 27-23. Cornerback Walter Thurmond and center Max Unger were part of the 2007 Oregon team that defeated USF, 56-21. Cornerback Richard Sherman and wide receiver Doug Baldwin were part of the Stanford entourage in 2009 that fell to Oklahoma, 31-27.
The Seahawks’ Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line coach Tom Cable was the offensive coordinator for UCLA in 2005, while special teams coordinator Brian Schneider served as the linebackers and safeties coach for the Bruins that same year. Defensive backs and cornerbacks coach Kris Richard was a cornerback for USC in 1998. Defensive Passing Game Coordinator Rocky Seto was also in El Paso in 1998 as a cornerback for the Trojans.
The Broncos
Broncos’ safety Quinton Carter was a member of the 2009 Oklahoma squad that defeated teammate Sione Fua’s Stanford Cardinal. Cornerback Marquice Cole visited the Sun City with Northwestern in 2005, falling to UCLA 50-38. Offensive tackle Orlando Franklin was with Miami in the Hurricane’s 2010 loss to Notre Dame, 33-17.
Defensive end Shaun Phillips was a two-time participant at the Sun Bowl with Purdue in 2001 and 2002, earning the Jimmy Rogers, Jr. Most Valuable Lineman trophy in 2002 recording three solo tackles, one pass deflection and one sack.
Offensive assistant Brian Callahan is the only member of the Broncos’ coaching staff that has been a part of a Sun Bowl team as a backup quarterback for UCLA in 2005.
