SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The Fiesta Bowl's illustrious history was born on April 26, 1971, when the NCAA ratified the Fiesta Bowl to become the 12^th game in the 1971-72 Bowl Season. To commemorate the 50^th 'birthday' of that momentous day, the Fiesta Bowl has created a new website www.FiestaBowl.org/Fiesta50.
 
"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. "We're proud to highlight our history over the year and start the next 50 years of memories."
 
Leading into the 50^th playing of the Fiesta Bowl, the organization celebrated its golden anniversary with a specially-created logo, a series of Top 50 Lists, dedication of Fiesta Bowl Play at Hance Park as part of Hance Park revitalization project, specific merchandise with Fiesta Bowl 50th Anniversary branding, a recognition event for 50-year season ticket members and more.
 
"The Fiesta Bowl has been home to many of college football's most memorable moments throughout our 50-year history," said Mike Nealy, Fiesta Bowl Organization Executive Director. "It's really fun to browse through this new website and see the many accomplishments that our Board, Yellow Jacket Committee, volunteers and staff have done to make the Fiesta Bowl a significant part of college football history and a community leader with impact all year long."
 
Sporting the organization's specially-created 50^th Anniversary logo, the microsite is a one-stop shop that houses the Fiesta Bowl's history. Here is a snapshot of the elements on the digital 50^th Anniversary hub:

• Top 50 Lists, including Players/Coaches, Plays/Moments, All-Decade Teams
• Feature stories that highlight the Birth of the Bowl, ASU's Influence, top games in history, the $1.2 million trophy, history of the Yellow Jacket and more
• Year-by-year results, records and top performances
• Specific merchandise with Fiesta Bowl 50^th Anniversary branding
• Videos of the top moments in history, the Founders, community impact and a roundtable with key players from the 2003 Fiesta Bowl
• Fiesta Bowl Football Focus Podcast episodes, including guests Urban Meyer, Mack Brown, 2003 Fiesta Bowl players from Ohio State & Miami, Jonathan Smith and moreFiesta Bowl-branded license plate for sale through AZDOT

Still to come this year will be a Volunteer Appreciation Party at Sun Devil Stadium for volunteers across the 50-year history, the Fiesta Bowl Parade in late December with a 50^th Anniversary theme and  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 $21 million to the Arizona community in the last 10 years through charitable giving, including $5.5 million in the 2020-21 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.