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. |
