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New Mexico Bowl: Organizers roll out goodies for players, coaches

By Iliana Limón
Friday, December 1, 2006

Move over, Santa.

New Mexico Bowl officials are trying to upstage the world's biggest gift maven.

Bowl organizers are loading up gift baskets for University of New Mexico and San Jose State players participating in the inaugural game Dec. 23.

They are hoping to make a big splash and develop a hot reputation with the following gifts:

iPod nano

Oakley Blade II watch with the New Mexico Bowl logo

Under Armour backpack with bowl logo

Under Armour beanie embroidered with the New Mexico Bowl name

Fatheadz sunglasses

Mini football helmet with the New Mexico Bowl logo

One-year subscription to ESPN The Magazine

"I wanted to exceed what everyone else does as much as possible, because this is our first year and our first impression," said Jeff Siembieda, executive director of the New Mexico Bowl. "We want the players and coaches to enjoy every aspect of this experience and talk about how great the New Mexico Bowl is when they go home.

"We know these gift packages are a big deal, and we want the players to be happy."

NCAA rules state each bowl can give out $500 worth of gifts to 125 members on each team, which covers all players and coaches participating in the bowl game. Schools also can give players additional gifts worth $350 as a reward for a good season.

NCAA officials consider the gifts comparable to trophies awarded for outstanding performances, opening the door to a gift-giving frenzy.

UNM coach Rocky Long said he is impressed by the New Mexico Bowl booty.

"This our fourth bowl game, and this is best package we've seen," Long said. "I think they've done a great job of getting quality stuff that relates to the players and their age - stuff that they want and like and enjoy.

"The players around here know already because they have spies. So they're all excited about the bowl package."

Siembieda said bowl staff members consulted players and checked out gifts handed out by the Las Vegas, Fort Worth and Rose bowls.

"Obviously, we weren't going to do what they do because we want to be different, but they gave us an idea what we needed to do to distinguish ourselves," Siembieda said.

The gifts garner national buzz, with media outlets and Web sites rating bowls by the best gifts.

Bowls that gave jackets, watches, towels, luggage and duffel bags last year were inevitably dissed.

Bowls that awarded PSPs, Xbox 360s and iPods last year earned rave reviews.

Participants in the 2006 Rose Bowl, which hosted last year's national championship, got a PSP, Madden NFL 2006, Rose Bowl watch and backpack, New Era hat and knapsack, commemorative Rose Bowl coin, Rose Bowl souvenir football and "The Longest Yard" on DVD.

"I think we'll stack up very well this year," Siembieda said. "This is just one part of our plan to make sure this a great bowl experience for everyone involved and represent the state of New Mexico really well."