At a press conference today, Pacific Life Holiday Bowl organizers introduced San Diego�s newly-established second bowl game as the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Make-A-Wish Foundation� of San Diego will serve as the event�s beneficiary. Last Wednesday, the NCAA issued the Holiday Bowl a license to operate a second post-season college football game. Stephen P. Cushman, president of the 2005 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, revealed that San Diego-based San Diego County Credit Union signed a two-year title sponsor agreement, with an option in year three. Financial terms were not disclosed. �This truly is one of the more exciting days in our institution�s history,� said, Irene Oberbauer, San Diego County Credit Union�s chief operating officer. �As a local company, we are so pleased to be joining forces with an organization that means so much to the greater San Diego region.� Cushman continued, �Let it be known that were it not for this community-minded partner, the Poinsettia Bowl would still just be an idea. Thanks to San Diego County Credit Union, this game will be an economic force for San Diego�s tourism industry during what is the slowest week of the year.� The 2004 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl produced $38.2 million in economic benefit for the San Diego region. Bowl officials are hopeful the Poinsettia Bowl will produce approximately $20 million annually. As determined by vote of the Holiday Bowl committee, and endorsement of the bowl�s board of directors, the name of the game is Poinsettia Bowl. �The poinsettia has been the official symbol of the Holiday Bowl since its inception 28 years ago,� said Cushman. �And with our longstanding relationship with Paul Ecke Ranch, the Ecke family, and their poinsettias, this really was an easy decision for us.� San Diego County Credit Union brought Make-A-Wish on board to serve as the game�s beneficiary. In addition to the exposure the charity will receive from the association, $1 from each ticket sold for the game will go directly to Make-A-Wish. The game also will serve as a platform to grant wishes. Examples cited by bowl officials include kids singing the national anthem, tossing the coin, and serving as honorary team captains. �Make-A-Wish is so grateful to both San Diego County Credit Union and organizers of the Poinsettia Bowl,� said Teresa Davis Pusztai, executive director of Make-A-Wish. �This truly is an overwhelming gift that will deeply touch the lives of many.� The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl will match a team from the Mountain West Conference against an at-large opponent. A 7pm kickoff is set for this year�s inaugural game that will be played on Thursday, December 22 at Qualcomm Stadium. |
