FOLLOW @JAVIERJMORALES ON TWITTER!
[rps-paypal]
[ezcol_1half id=”” class=”” style=””]
When Tucson last had a bowl game, the 1999 Insight.com Bowl, the announced attendance for the game between Colorado and Boston College was 35,762 in the 56,200-capacity Arizona Stadium.
Tucson gives it another try 16 years later with regional teams Nevada and Colorado State playing each other today in the inaugural Arizona Bowl at 5:30 p.m. Tucson time.
When the Insight.com Bowl decided to move to what was then the Bank One Ballpark in downtown Phoenix, officials cited apathy in Tucson for the reason.
“There was nothing wrong with the city or the university,” bowl official Steve Shoefler told the Arizona Daily Wildcat. “It’s just that the lure of a post-season collegiate bowl game just didn’t seem to be a top priority for the people of Tucson.”
[/ezcol_1half]
[ezcol_1half_end id=”” class=”” style=””]
PREVIOUS TUCSON-BASED BOWL GAMES
WEISER LOCK COPPER BOWL (1989-1996)
INSIGHT.COM BOWL (1997-1999)
[/ezcol_1half_end]
Will Tucson warm up to the Arizona Bowl now?
The downtown block party yesterday, showcasing the Colorado State and Nevada teams, cheerleaders and bands, was a move in the right direction to stir interest in the locals. It also makes sense that trips from Reno, Nev., and Fort Collins, Colo., are not very far to Tucson for fans of both teams.
The following are some social media reactions of the game, many of which should stir some interest for college football fans in Tucson.
That's how you make an entrance! #AZBowl pic.twitter.com/sPEodvavay
— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) December 29, 2015
Wait for it… Wait for it… @CSUMBand TROMBONE SUICIDES! @AZBowlGame block party!
#CSURams 🐑
#Traditions 🏈 pic.twitter.com/4FjnwvveEk
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) December 29, 2015
Block party in downtown Tucson was a success! #AZBowl pic.twitter.com/DkBIDW0npg
— Nevada Cheerleading (@NevadaCheer) December 29, 2015
.@NevadaFootball had a great time at tonight's @AZBowlGame block party! pic.twitter.com/f0SGQO4i7n
— NevadaWolfPackTV (@WolfPack_TV) December 29, 2015
@NevadaFootball makes their way into the @AZBowlGame Block Party. #CampusRush pic.twitter.com/WRoX2hNu5S
— Justin E. Spears (@JustinESports) December 29, 2015
Thank you to the people from @AZBowlGame for a great event last night. Our players had a great time!
— Brian Polian (@BrianPolian) December 28, 2015
A look inside Arizona Stadium as @AZBowlGame preps ramp up for @CSUFootball & @NevadaWolfPack Tues pic.twitter.com/Qh6mwDryaj
— Dave Cooney (@CooneyLand) December 28, 2015
Music to our earshttps://t.co/sBJXeSiQ0L
— Arizona Bowl (@AZBowlGame) December 28, 2015
Old Western gals sing happy birthday to @HasaanHenders0n! pic.twitter.com/tHPH5A7OCS
— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) December 28, 2015
It's nice to hear former UA & Tucson Sidewinders announcer Ryan Radtke do the preview of Wolf Pack. Welcome back! https://t.co/leDwtLXxpr
— Arizona Bowl (@AZBowlGame) December 28, 2015
CSU notes: The @AZBowlGame finds a unique gift for players; KPL back at practice with Rams https://t.co/4WXFflrPsu pic.twitter.com/WvNM2uyfre
— Mike Brohard (@mbrohard) December 28, 2015
.@NevadaFootball brought some light to these kids at the TMC pediatric center @AZBowlGame #AZBowl pic.twitter.com/nWtScAVOsJ
— American Sports Net (@LiveOnASN) December 28, 2015
.@CSUFootball also bringing smiles to these kids at TMC pediatric. This is what it's all about. @AZBowlGame #AZBowl pic.twitter.com/H03VO45JTn
— American Sports Net (@LiveOnASN) December 28, 2015
.@NevadaFootball out here at TMC Pediatric ward showing some love and giving back in Tucson @AZBowlGame #AZBowl pic.twitter.com/aSmFjAQMLt
— American Sports Net (@LiveOnASN) December 27, 2015
#AZBowl Queen @MissTommyLynn teaching @CampusInsiders @shaepeppler rope tricks at tonight's player event! pic.twitter.com/Au9HSmVcid
— Arizona Bowl (@AZBowlGame) December 28, 2015
Arizona Stadium getting prepped for the @AZBowlGame. pic.twitter.com/dNWPdAnNim
— Keegan Pope (@ByKeeganPope) December 27, 2015
Arizona Stadium in Tucson getting its exterior prepped for the Arizona Bowl. pic.twitter.com/9ZKpATrdki
— Matt L. Stephens (@MattStephens) December 27, 2015
Welcome to everyone in town for the @AZBowlGame! Ride @TucsonStreetcar to explore during your stay! pic.twitter.com/Iufi8325bq
— Sun Link Streetcar (@TucsonStreetcar) December 27, 2015
Don't want to battle traffic to get to the @AZBowlGame? Take the @TucsonStreetcar! pic.twitter.com/yj53tl2Zvu
— Melanie Hunter (@MelanieHunterTV) December 29, 2015
46 degrees and sunny for our first practice in Tucson. Perfect football weather#BattleBorn pic.twitter.com/LvocKGEjHx
— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) December 27, 2015
'Hammer' ready to hit up old haunts with family, new team https://t.co/kS9lPAyTek pic.twitter.com/w0SFEIax6M
— Arizona Daily Star (@TucsonStar) December 27, 2015
Learn all about @yesNOVA Spotlight Player: @NevadaFootball's Ian Seau
https://t.co/lYHS80m1y7 pic.twitter.com/VMItzPORrq
— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) December 29, 2015
Arizona Bowl preview: A rare bowl game between conference foes as Nevada faces Colorado State (by @KaylaLombardo11): https://t.co/iWX2xD64Rr
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) December 29, 2015
Two physical offenses. Two aggressive defenses. Tonight's @AZBowlGame should be a good one. https://t.co/7sYTmElffq pic.twitter.com/CWY0K3ZXfJ
— Keegan Pope (@ByKeeganPope) December 29, 2015
Here's the breakdown and betting odds for the @AZBowlGame between the Nevada #Wolfpack and #CSURams https://t.co/vP52b2rfIW
— CBS Sports Radio (@CBSSportsRadio) December 29, 2015
One of the keys to @CSUFootball beating Nevada? Get this guy the ball. https://t.co/yRdnQP6YUK via @CSUCollegian pic.twitter.com/F6Duf2UyEd
— Keegan Pope (@ByKeeganPope) December 29, 2015
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He has also written articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
