Fiesta Bowl week features numerous Ohio State events

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University and Kansas State University are putting their football rivalry aside to offer helping hands to hundreds of homeless people in the Phoenix, Ariz., area as a part of a community service initiative. This Ohio State tradition is one of numerous events scheduled during the Fiesta Bowl week, Dec. 30, 2003, through Jan. 3, 2004.

This year, members of the Ohio State and Kansas State communities will help prepare and serve food to between 800 and 1,000 homeless people. The group from Ohio State will arrive at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the St. Vincent de Paul Memorial Dining Room, 119 S. 9th Ave., in Phoenix, Ariz. Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. In the past, more than 600 people from Ohio State have volunteered in communities surrounding bowl games. President Holbrook will be available to speak with media at 10 a.m.

Other Fiesta Bowl events include the Fiesta Bowl Parade and Buckeye Bash, which features Coach Jim Tressel, football players, cheerleaders and the Ohio State University Marching Band.

In Tempe, media are invited to cover the Marching Band’s final rehearsal before performing in the Fiesta Bowl’s halftime show. The rehearsal will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, at Tempe High School, 1730 South Mill Ave., in Tempe, Ariz. Additional information about the band’s trip to the Fiesta Bowl is at http://www.osuband.org/

Events in Arizona during the Fiesta Bowl week include:

Wednesday, Dec. 31
10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Community Service at the Fiesta Bowl
St. Vincent de Paul Memorial Dining Room
119 S. 9th Ave. – Phoenix, Ariz.
As a part of Ohio State’s commitment to outreach and engagement and as a way to show appreciation, the university has organized a service opportunity for members of the Ohio State community attending the Fiesta Bowl. This is the fifth time Ohio State has taken part in a service project to coincide with a bowl game.

11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade
Central Avenue – Phoenix, Ariz.
President Holbrook, the Marching Band and Ohio State cheerleaders will take part in the parade.

7 p.m. – Marching Band – Short Parade and Pep Rally
Tempe Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Block Party
North on Mill Avenue ending in Tempe Beach Park

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004
9 to 11:30 a.m. Band – Marching and Playing Rehearsal
Tempe High School Stadium
1730 South Mill Ave. in Tempe
More than 1,000 people attended last year’s rehearsal.

2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Buckeye Bash
Tempe Diablo Stadium
2200 Alameda Drive in Tempe
3:30 p.m. Marching Band performance
Annual bowl gathering of Buckeye faithful with Coach Tressel, players, cheerleaders and the band.

9:30 p.m. – Marching Band performance – Fiesta Bowl National (H.S.) Band Championship
Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix

Friday, Jan. 2
3 to 4 p.m. – Marching Band performance – Pre-game Party
Arizona State University Festival Grounds, North Stadium Lot

5:45 p.m. – Marching Band – Pre-game Performance - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Band Halftime with the Kansas State Band

6 p.m. Fiesta Bowl kickoff

Contacts:
Ohio State Marching Band
The Band will be staying at the Fiesta Inn, 2100 S. Priest Drive in Tempe, Ariz.: (480) 967-1441
Columbus – Steinbrenner Band Center in Columbus, (614) 292-2598
Tempe – Band director Jon Woods at the Fiesta Inn, (480) 967-1441
Contact – David Carwile, (614) 323-4046 (cell)

Community Service at the Fiesta Bowl
St. Vincent Depaul Society, 119 S. 9th Ave. in Phoenix, Ariz., (602) 495-3065
http://www.stvincentdepaul.net
Contact – Shannon Wingard, (614) 620-1621 (cell)