What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
For some reason, chicken and football go together, as long as you have plenty of sauce.
Chick and kick paired well on Friday while Louisiana Tech defeated Illinois 35-18 to win the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl. Tech put on a show on both sides of the ball with big scoring plays and a bruising pass rush to bring a large contingent from Ruston, La., to its feet for a final ovation and trophy-raising.
In another successful Heart of Dallas Bowl debut, first-year title sponsor Zaxby's came aboard at the behest of ESPN Events for the game's fifth year and helped honor local first responders. For the first time, Zaxby's put its name on a college postseason game, this one at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in Fair Park.
It shapes up to be good business for the growing Georgia-based chicken tender chain that has but four locations in Dallas-Fort Worth but 640 nationally.
For ESPN Events, which owns and operates the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl, nailing down a new title sponsor was the first step in long-term stability. Zaxby's current deal as sponsor is for multiple years but could be extended along the way.
“As a company, it was a smart move for us,” Zaxby's operations/sales manager Nick Petrocci said. “When this was presented to us [by ESPN], it made sense. The cherry on top was honoring the first responders. We put hundreds of thousands of dollars toward fund-raising efforts each year. We want to establish good relationships in any market we are currently in.”
Petrocci said Zaxby's is heavily involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in a number of its markets.
The Heart of Dallas charitable foundation, which became associated with the bowl two years ago, was able to continue it work through the game and other local sporting events with the help of potential greater commercial investment by Zaxby's.
“Everything Zaxby's does to put around our game, it's exciting,” Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl executive director Brant Ringler said. “They've been a great title sponsor, feeding our teams and everything else they've got going on for us.”
ESPN Events, which owns and operates 11 bowls televised on various network platforms during its pre- and post-Christmas “Bowl Mania,” received a financial/marketing boost for one of its fledgling bowls.
“We view all of our events with a long-term eye,” ESPN Events senior vice president Pete Derzis said. “We've laid a great foundation after the first five years to allow this game to be functional and sustainable.”
Derzis said getting to see a number of bowls in the ESPN Events stable “get to double-digit years has been fun.”
Petrocci said that when ESPN's proposal that Zaxby's become title sponsor literally came across an official's desk in the company's marketing department, that ESPN's name was on it made the idea even more palatable.
“We had opportunities for other bowl games,” Petrocci said of joining up with ESPN. “It was something we were already looking to explore, but it got our attention. We have a lot of the same core values as the Heart of Dallas. We're enjoying this and excited to be here.”
Troy Phillips is a Fort Worth-based freelance writer and former reporter and copy editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Now, if the bowl's marketing folks can prevent visiting bands like Illinois from carrying KFC meal boxes into the Cotton Bowl Stadium on game day . . . . ;)
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
I read in the Dallas MOrning News earlier this week that the Univ of Illinois was going to be paid $1.6M for this 2014 HOD appearance. Does anyone know how much LA Tech will be paid?
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Good to see you at the HOD Bowl Mr. HogGawg and your Rally Cap on backwards!!
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
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Originally Posted by
HogDawg
I read in the Dallas MOrning News earlier this week that the Univ of Illinois was going to be paid $1.6M for this 2014 HOD appearance. Does anyone know how much LA Tech will be paid?
I don't know what the Big 10 gets and C-USA gets. Should be the same, huh, to split.
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
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Originally Posted by
Dawgpix
I don't know what the Big 10 gets and C-USA gets. Should be the same, huh, to split.
Our AD explained in the pre-game today that we get $100K of the top. After than the payout from the bowl goes to C-USA and the usual costs/expenses are figured and dispersed. I think the DMN may have given out some bad info. The total payout for HOD was $1.6M or $800K per team according to the bowl payout lists that are published.
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dawgpix
Now, if the bowl's marketing folks can prevent visiting bands like Illinois from carrying KFC meal boxes into the Cotton Bowl Stadium on game day . . . . ;)
hah! saw that too.
As a side note you would think a band would have some kind of cart to transport such things as box lunches. Poor ole band managers lugging dozens of KFC boxes, stacked so high they could barely see over 'em. Was waiting for a stack to hit the pavement....
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Quote:
Originally Posted by
maddawg
Our AD explained in the pre-game today that we get $100K of the top. After than the payout from the bowl goes to C-USA and the usual costs/expenses are figured and dispersed. I think the DMN may have given out some bad info. The total payout for HOD was $1.6M or $800K per team according to the bowl payout lists that are published.
https://www.google.com/#q=University...as+bowl+payout
And according to this, LA Tech and Illinois EACH get $1.1M:
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sport...ying-bowl-game
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
During the Marshall bowl game they mentioned that their payout wasn't that much, but, that it didn't matter because all the CUSA bowl teams money went into a pool and was divided up equally.
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dawgpix
Now, if the bowl's marketing folks can prevent visiting bands like Illinois from carrying KFC meal boxes into the Cotton Bowl Stadium on game day . . . . ;)
...and that tacky pregame fly-over...and over...and over by Raising Canes. Not cool.
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
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Originally Posted by
ChuckK3
...and that tacky pregame fly-over...and over...and over by Raising Canes. Not cool.
I noticed that too.
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Loved the game. Had a great time. Very proud of our team and school.
One question:
Why couldn't I buy Zaxby's chicken at the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl?
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Bought 2 overly-salty pretzels, bag of peanuts, a watered-down RC Cola, bottle of water, all for a whopping $34. Told my crew, no more trips to the concession (rip-off) stands for us!
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dawg80
Bought 2 overly-salty pretzels, bag of peanuts, a watered-down RC Cola, bottle of water, all for a whopping $34. Told my crew, no more trips to the concession (rip-off) stands for us!
You couldn't resist, huh? :icon_razz:
Did they have cups of ice? :laugh:
Re: What the Heart of Dallas committee thought of today's Bowl game
Very unusual to go to a stadium and not be able to get diet coke or diet pepsi. I had to drink diet dr. pepper.
