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The EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl Announces Utah as the MWC Selection
Added: (Mon Nov 29 1999)
College Football's First Division I-A Post-Season Bowl Game to Feature The Utes' and Bulldogs on December 18 in the 'Entertainment Capital of the World'
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced that the University of Utah has accepted the bid to play in the EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl on December 18, 1999 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. The Utes' will face Fresno State in college football's first Division I-A post-season bowl game.
"We're honored to have the University of Utah in the EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl," said Rossi Ralenkotter, executive director of the EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl and LVCVA Vice President of Marketing. "Utah brings outstanding tradition and prominence to the game and creates a match-up on a national level. The EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl Selection Committee was impressed by Utah's strong finish and enthusiasm to come to our game, and we're confident that Utah fans will flock to Las Vegas to enjoy everything that our city has to offer," he added.
The University of Utah finished the season with two resounding victories, including a 20-17 victory over Brigham Young on November 20. The Utes' earned a share of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) title finishing at 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the conference. The Utes' will make their first bowl appearance since the 1996 Copper Bowl played in Tucson, Arizona.
"The University of Utah is thrilled and excited to be selected to play in the EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl," said Athletic Director Chris Hill. "Las Vegas is a great place for our fans to enjoy the bowl experience. We look forward to the opportunity to showcase our football program."
"Having a chance to play in the EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl is so important for our school and community," said Head Coach Ron McBride. "This is the game we wanted to be in from the beginning, and I believe our team is playing its best football of the season. Our fans, players, and alumni couldn't be happier to play in Las Vegas with all the attractions and excitement that the city offers."
The EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl will be played in a favorable time slot on Saturday, December 18. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 3:00 p.m. (PST).
The fifteen-member EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl Selection Committee, made up of LVCVA executives, members of the EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl executive committee, representatives from major Las Vegas hotel/casino properties, and other business leaders, filled the MWC selection based on a number of criteria.
"The selection of the University of Utah makes the season's first bowl game a showcase featuring two outstanding programs," said Roy Woofter, Chairman of the Las Vegas Bowl Selection Committee. "Utah is extremely strong on both sides of the football and finished the season with two big victories. We feel the Utes' are most deserving of our invitation, and we anticipate the arrival of the players, coaches, and fans of Utah and Fresno State for a memorable week of bowl events."
When Utah arrives for the EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl, the players, coaches, administrators, and fans will be able to enjoy a complete bowl experience. As part of Bowl Week, the EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl will host events at some of the city's most popular attractions. The events include the Welcome Reception at the All-American SportPark, Kickoff Luncheon at the MGM Grand, and the Pep Rally and Buffet Bowl at the Golden Nugget/Fremont Street Experience. These activities will be set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, a world-renowned event and resort destination that attracts more than 30.6 million visitors per year.
The host hotel for Utah is the Golden Nugget. For more information about room reservations and bookings, fans can call 1-800-634-3454.
The EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl will be played at the newly renovated 40,000- seat Sam Boyd Stadium. Tickets are available at $10, $30, $45, $75, and $125 and can be reserved by calling Tickets.com at (888) 464-2468 or the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office at (702) 895-3900. Additional information about the game can be viewed via the internet at the official EA SPORTS Las Vegas Bowl web site at www.lvbowl.com.