Texas Bowl

Following another successful game, Texas Bowl volunteers, sponsors, and special guests gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wednesday night to celebrate at the 2009 Volunteer and Sponsor Appreciation Reception.

The bowl game boasts a roster of over 300 volunteers and 90 sponsors, many of which have been associated with the bowl since its inception in 2006.

“I need my Texas Bowl fix,” commented Kristi Grizzle, Team Host and volunteer since 2007.  We have a great group of people to work with, and it is always fun to get together.  I miss them in the spring when we don’t have meetings.”

Speaking on behalf of the Texas Bowl Board of Directors, Don Henderson thanked the bowl’s volunteers and sponsors and commented on the 2009 game.

“The growth of this bowl has been unprecedented,” Henderson said. “We sold over 69,000 tickets to the game, increased our television ratings by over 2 million viewers, successfully hosted two new community events this year, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our outstanding volunteers and sponsors.”

Following a video recapping the 2009 Bowl Week, Texas Bowl Executive Director Heather Houston commented on the bowl’s partnership with ESPN and new agreements with the Big 12 and Big Ten Conferences.

“We have a great group of people to work with, and it is always fun to get together.  I miss them in the spring when we don’t have meetings.”

“Your dedication and support over the past 4 years not only helped us secure new partnerships with ESPN and the Big Ten Conference but also helped us move our selection up in the Big 12.  The Texas Bowl’s future looks very bright and 2010 – 2013 should be a lot of fun,” Houston said.

To complete the night, Houston was joined on stage by 2008 Texas Bowl Volunteer of the Year, Marty Thompson, to present 9 Chairman’s Awards and the 2009 Texas Bowl Volunteer of the Year. Chairman’s Awards were presented to:

• Philamena Baird – Texas Bowl Board of Directors
• Doug Mraw & Kevin Cargile – Silver Eagle/Budweiser
• Bob McCarthy – Gridiron Legends & Golf Tournament Committees
• Ewart Jones – Team Host
• Andrew Lebig – Band Hospitality, Rodeo Bowl, Texans Gameday & Training Camp Committees
• Teresa Liserio – In Game, Rodeo Bowl, Texans Gameday & Training Camp Committees
• Kayla Barnett – Band Hospitality, Rodeo Bowl, Texans Gameday & Training Camp Committees
• Greg Grissom, Director of Corporate Development – Houston Texans
• Derek Beeman, Director of Ticket Sales – Houston Texans

And the 2009 Volunteer of the Year award was presented to:

• Rob Lynch – Chairman, Gridiron Legends & Golf Tournament Committee

The Volunteer and Sponsor Reception symbolizes a close to the 2009 game, but planning for the 2010 Texas Bowl is already well underway.

“This game was a great way to close the first chapter of the Texas Bowl,” Houston noted. “We look forward to draw that the Big 12 and Big Ten will have in the community and taking the next steps in the history of our game.”