SCOTTSDALE, AZ – To celebrate its storied history that began with a vision from nine community leaders in 1971, the Fiesta Bowl has unveiled a special logo and other initiatives to commemorate its 50^th Anniversary season.
 
The logo includes the Bowl's trademark sunburst and script, along with a large 50 and five "laces" on a football, to signify the five decades the Fiesta Bowl has been in existence. It will be widely seen as the 50-yard marker on the field during the 50^th playing of the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl on January 2, 2021.
 
"The Fiesta Bowl was created by nine visionaries and community trailblazers, and since that time we've built a community crown jewel that is also a nationally-recognized leader in college football," said Patrick Barkley, Chairman of the Board of the Fiesta Bowl Organization. "Our culture and reputation of first-class hospitality is well documented thanks to our thousands of volunteers, Board of Directors, Yellow Jacket Committee members and staff over the years."
 
In addition to the logo, the Fiesta Bowl will recognize some of the top players, coaches, moments and milestones with a series of Top 50 lists to be released in the lead-up to the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, offer merchandise with the 50^th Anniversary logo, honor its 50-year season ticket members, host a volunteer appreciation event open to every volunteer over the 50-year history and more.
 
"When fans think about the Fiesta Bowl, they know that some of college football's most memorable moments happened here in Arizona, and in every decade of our 50-year existence," said Mike Nealy, Fiesta Bowl Organization Executive Director. "This 50^th Anniversary allows us to honor the key players in our successful history and to celebrate all that we have accomplished, on and off the field. The Fiesta Bowl has grown to be More Than Just A Game® with our year-round community activities."
 
Here is a snapshot of some activities the Fiesta Bowl will do to commemorate its 50^th Anniversary:

• Top 50 Lists, including Players/Coaches, Plays/Moments, Facts, All-Decade Teams
• Dedication of Fiesta Bowl Play at Hance Park as part of Hance Park revitalization project
• Specific merchandise with Fiesta Bowl 50^th Anniversary branding
• Fiesta Bowl Parade on Saturday, April 10, 2021, with 50^th Anniversary theme
• 50-year Season Ticket Member appreciation event at Ziegler Family Fiesta Bowl Museum
• Fiesta Bowl Football Focus Podcast episodes, including guests Urban Meyer, Jared Zabransky, Mack Brown, 2003 Fiesta Bowl players from Ohio State & Miami and more
• Volunteer Appreciation Party at Sun Devil Stadium for volunteers from all 50 years
• Fiesta Bowl-branded license plate for sale through AZDOT
• Editorial pieces from local media outlets to highlight the Fiesta Bowl's historic moments

 
There will be increased content from the Fiesta Bowl's 50-year history on FiestaBowl.org and on the organization's social media on Twitter and Instagram (@Fiesta_Bowl) and Facebook (@FiestaBowl).
 
Fast Facts about the Fiesta Bowl Organization:
 

• The Fiesta Bowl has generated approximately $3 Billion in economic impact for the state of Arizona over the last 13 years
• Through year-round events and community relations, Fiesta Bowl has donated $16.5 million to the Arizona community in the last nine years through charitable giving, including $4 million in the 2019-20 season alone
• Sports Illustrated ranked Fiesta Bowl games as number 1 and 3 in "The Greatest Bowl Games in College Football History"
• The Fiesta Bowl has hosted seven National Championship games and 12 Heisman Trophy winners
• 2019 contest between Clemson and Ohio State was ranked the best game of 2019 by ESPN and the best bowl game by Yahoo! and Bleacher Report
• More than three million fans have attended the Fiesta Bowl
• The Fiesta Bowl trophy stands almost four feet high, weighs 200 pounds and has 28.6 karats of diamonds encrusting the football stripes with a valuation of $1.2 million

Some of college football's most talked-about moments came at the Fiesta Bowl:

• 2007 Fiesta Bowl where Boise State upset Oklahoma in dramatic fashion
• 2005 Fiesta Bowl when Utah became the first non-power conference team to beat a power conference with its win over Pittsburgh
• 2003 Fiesta Bowl national championship between Ohio State and Miami that went to overtime in a hotly-contested game
• 1996 Fiesta Bowl in which Tommie Frazier created a highlight with a 75-yard touchdown run that many still talk about today
• 1989 Fiesta Bowl as Notre Dame completed a perfect season and secured its most recent national championship
• 1987 Fiesta Bowl was dubbed the "Game of the Century" and "Battle for Number 1" between Penn State and Miami in the first created national championship

 
ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Fiesta Bowl Parade, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.