SCOTTSDALE, AZ (April 3, 2025) – Celebrating its 2024-25 season, the Fiesta Sports Foundation hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Party at the Phoenix Zoo where it recognized its 2024-25 Volunteers of the Year. The six award winners, along with seven Chair's Choice honorees, were selected among the Fiesta Sports Foundation's volunteer base of nearly 3,000 individuals.

"Fiesta Sports Foundation volunteers are the secret sauce that allow us to provide world-class hospitality for our stakeholders in all that we do on a year-round basis," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "Whether it is hosting our two bowl games or at any of our community engagement or fundraising events, our volunteers personify who we are at the Fiesta Sports Foundation. Their dedication and commitment to upholding the gold standard of hospitality is unrivaled and I'm grateful for their faithful service."

The Fiesta Sports Foundation honors volunteers in six categories each year following a nomination process. In 2024-25, the nearly 3,000 volunteers consisting of Board of Directors, Yellow Jacket Committee members, Ambassadors and general volunteers amassed more than 20,000 volunteer hours at 35 events.

The 2024-25 Volunteers of the Year are Sebastian Zapolski-Bialek (Glenn Hawkins Volunteer of the Year), Andrew Sheridan (George Leonard Rookie of the Year), Ryan Delaney (Ellie Ziegler Chair of the Year), Chip Pray (Fiesta Sports Foundation Committee Member of the Year), Tammy White (Randi Knappenberger Ambassador of the Year) and Andy Shultz (Frank Snell Lifetime Achievement Award).

"Volunteers are the backbone of everything we do at the Fiesta Sports Foundation," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Board Chair Judy Bernas. "Our volunteers are excellent and truly elevate the experience of our many stakeholders. We are so appreciative of everything they do, and how they make our community a better place to live and play."

Award winners will be honored as an entry in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe and with an on-field presentation at the College Football Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

Glenn Hawkins Volunteer of the Year – Sebastian Zapolski-Bialek
Named after one of the nine founders of the Fiesta Bowl, the Glenn Hawkins Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a volunteer who demonstrates the same characteristics on which the Fiesta Sports Foundation was founded – dedication, enthusiasm and the desire to create an unmatched experience. Zapolski-Bialek was active all season, volunteering during numerous shifts at the PNC Fiesta Bowl Par 3 Challenge presented by Chapman Automotive. He also drove a float during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe and volunteered at Fan Fest prior to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

George Leonard Rookie of the Year – Andrew Sheridan
The George Leonard Rookie of the Year is presented to a Yellow Jacket Committee Member in his/her first or second year who made an immediate impact on the Fiesta Sports Foundation through volunteering and fundraising. In his first year as a Yellow Jacket, Sheridan was one of the top Futures in both fundraising and volunteering. Sheridan also extended the volunteering spirit to more than 25 football players he coaches, incorporating them in roles to help operate the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe.

Ellie Ziegler Chair of the Year – Ryan Delaney
Named in honor of a personable, selfless leader, the Ellie Ziegler Fiesta Sports Foundation Chair of the Year Award goes to the event chair who provides significant leadership and exemplary effort. Delaney, a Yellow Jacket Committee member since 2020, chaired the PNC Fiesta Bowl Par 3 Challenge presented by Chapman Automotive. As the committee chair, he led the charge for a completely sold-out three-day tournament, while also helping implement a Yellow Jacket Committee sponsored hole.

Fiesta Sports Foundation Committee Member of the Year – Chip Pray
The Outstanding Fiesta Sports Foundation Committee Member of the Year is awarded to an active Yellow Jacket Committee member who served on multiple committees and provided support and dedication to several events. Pray was the overall top fundraiser and volunteer leader among the Yellow Jacket Committee. The 2022-23 George Leonard Rookie of the Year following his first season as a Yellow Jacket, Pray served as committee chair for the Arizona Milk Producers Fiesta Sports Foundation Youth Football Clinic and was also involved in game operations, team hospitality and on the Futures leadership team.

Randi Knappenberger Ambassador of the Year – Tammy White
The Randi Knappenberger Ambassador of the Year is given to a dedicated Ambassador who embodies the Fiesta Sports Foundation spirit in her dedication to the organization. White served as the community outreach liaison for the Fiesta Sports Foundation Ambassadors. In her role, she found opportunities for Ambassadors to volunteer outside of the Fiesta Sports Foundation in addition to finding social opportunities for the group to bond.

Frank Snell Lifetime Achievement Award – Andy Shultz
The Frank Snell Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is chosen by the Fiesta Sports Foundation Board of Directors and Life Directors to honor a member of the Fiesta Sports Foundation family who has served the organization for more than 12 years. Since his first season on the Yellow Jacket Committee in 2010, Shultz has been active serving as a chair or assistant chair for the Team Hospitality, Youth Football Clinic, Par 3 Challenge, Media Operations and Fiesta Bowl Parade committees. Shultz also held the role of assistant commissioner for six seasons, sales captain for two seasons and been a team liaison.

The Fiesta Sports Foundation's event committee chairs also selected a volunteer to receive the Chair's Choice.

Arizona Milk Producers Fiesta Sports Foundation Youth Football Clinic – Ronda Parker
PNC Fiesta Bowl Par 3 Challenge presented by Chapman Automotive – Jo Robinson
Game Operations – Kim Bruck
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe – Mike Langley
Media Operations – Kim Kennedy
Pregame Parties – John Nelson
Team Hospitality – Pauline Argeros
 
ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been 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 to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, including the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram.