Brut Sun Bowl Aligns With Pac-10, ACC Through 2013

EL PASO, Texas (November 5, 2009) – The Brut Sun Bowl officially announced today it has extended its partnership with the Pac-10 Conference through 2013 and aligned with the Atlantic Coast Conference from 2010-2013.

The new alignment will feature the third selection after the Bowl Championship Series from the Pac-10 against either the runner-up of the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game or the third selection after the BCS from the ACC.

“We are extremely excited to forge this new partnership,” said Frank Bates, president of the Sun Bowl Association. “We have had such a strong and long-standing relationship with the Pac-10. Having the opportunity to pair the Pac-10 with the Atlantic Coast Conference could really prove to be some exciting matchups.”

The Brut Sun Bowl has the second longest current relationship with the Pac-10, hosting a league school for 14 consecutive years. Nine of the league’s 10 schools have participated in the Brut Sun Bowl 25 times, with California as the lone school to have never played in the Sun Bowl.

“The Pac-10 is very happy to extend its longtime relationship with the Brut Sun Bowl,” said Commissioner Larry Scott. “The Sun Bowl has been a good and loyal partner over the years and through its New Year's Eve positioning on CBS provides an excellent showcase for the Pac-10 teams. We look forward to many more years of partnership.”

The Atlantic Coast Conference is also no stranger to the Brut Sun Bowl, but has not sent a team to El Paso since 1994. In all, ACC schools have made 10 appearances, with North Carolina appearing four times – 1972, 1974, 1982 and 1994.

The 1994 Sun Bowl between Texas and North Carolina was named the greatest Sun Bowl ever played at last year’s 75th Brut Sun Bowl.

“As someone who has been to the Sun Bowl, I can tell you that it was one of the best bowl trips that I have ever experienced,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “We are looking forward to having a compelling match-up with the Pac-10, while also being part of the storied bowl history and tradition. This partnership will provide special and memorable experiences for our student-athletes and fans.”

The Pac-10 Conference consists of Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington and Washington State. The Atlantic Coast Conference includes Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

The 76th Brut Sun Bowl is slated for Thursday, Dec. 31 at Noon (MT) at Sun Bowl Stadium. This year’s game features the Pac-10 Conference against the Big 12 Conference. Tickets are available by calling 915-533-4416 or online at www.sunbowl.org.

Bye, Bye Jag!

I went by the tow yard in Orange County to collect the last of my personal effects from my car today before saying goodbye and turning it over the insurance company.

I've been in an accident that totaled my car before, and it's always kind of strange to see the car a few days later, especially in the daylight.

It wasn't exactly an emotional moment for me today, but it did give me another opportunity to try and figure out exactly how in the hell I was able to walk away from the accident?!?!

Back In The Game

First, let me begin by saying thank you to everyone who has e-mailed me expressing their concerns and well wishes following my accident. It's really great to know that my family, friends and sometimes, perfect strangers, were so worried about me and willing to offer their assistance as I recovered.

Luckily, there wasn't much recovering needed really. As I told you Friday, I was extremely fortunate to only have a few bruises here and there, especially when you consider two people were airlifted to the hospital.

So tonight, I am officially back in the game as I return to work for the first time. I probably could have gone to work Saturday, but my ER doctor, my mom and my boss didn't think I should push it, so I just sat on the couch all weekend flipping channels. That's the last time that's going to happen for a while with the college football season kicking off this weekend.

But the real ironic part about going back to work tonight is that I will be returning to Anaheim for an Angels game, which was the reason I ended up on the 5 freeway in the first place. And speaking of the 5 freeway, I'm actually looking forward to driving past the scene of my accident. I'm hoping it will give me some added perspective on the accident as well as some closure.

I will also be checking out my car for the last time today. I wonder how mangled it will look in the daytime. I hope to post some pics later!

Lucky To Be Alive After SEVERE Car Accident

just wanted to let you all know that i was involved in a very SEVERE car accident late thursday night as i was returning from anaheim after the angels/twins game..

basically, a semi-truck plowed through several cars on the 5 freeway near the on-ramp for the 91.. i believe i was the 2nd or 3rd car the truck rear-ended.. without getting into too much detail.. the force of the impact put my car into several spins.. eventually coming to a stop after crashing into the concrete center divider.. my car, of course, was completely totaled.. the pic on the left shows what's left of it.. and the video below shows even more of the aftermath of the crash.. you can see my car about 16 seconds into the video..

thankfully i was able to get out of the car on my own power and help several other people involved in the accident before my lower left leg started to swell up so much that it became difficult to walk.. an ambulance took me to the hospital for x-rays..

as far as my condition is concerned.. i'm really lucky that i only have a really bad contusion (fancy word for bruise) on my lower leg.. the swelling is still pretty significant today and it's really sore.. but i am able to hop around the house this morning.. and i'm hopeful i will be up and about again by tonight or tomorrow..



oh yeah.. one other note.. i lost the battery to my cell phone somewhere on the freeway.. so i don't have anyone's cell or office numbers... and my phone is not operational..