CREDIT TO LIZ TOPETE-STONEFIELD FOR THIS STORY: 602-254-8780
High-school players from throughout the state routed the opposition 44-0 Sunday in the Arizona-Sonora Bowl II, as Team Arizona/USA avenged a loss 12 years ago.
“We’re proud of the great job our Arizona Team did on the field,” said Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County Supervisor and chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission Sports Committee that coordinated the event. “Even more than that, we’re delighted that we were able to offer an Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee-sanctioned event that families and children could enjoy at no charge.”
The game capped a day-long agenda of activities, from the popular Cardinals’ Experience football clinic in which hundreds of inner city children and the public had an opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges of an NFL training camp, to an autograph session with Cardinal fullback Terrelle Smith and Pittsburgh Steeler Marvel Smith; and an international photography show.
The weather offered grey skies and rain, with the University of Phoenix stadium providing the backdrop where Super Bowl XLII will be played next Sunday. The clouds didn’t dampen the spirits of participants, however, as children frolicked in the rain, pretended to be professional football stars, danced in groups to hip-hop music and crowded around real NFL players for autographs.
The event, sanctioned by the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, was offered to the community at no charge by volunteers of the Arizona-Mexico Commission, the State of Arizona, Maricopa County, the Sonora-Arizona Commission & CODESON.
Team Arizona/USA Victorious in Soggy Arizona-Sonora Bowl II
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Governor Janet Napolitano stated "On behalf of the Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC), thank you to those who contributed to the success of Arizona-Sonora Bowl II. Especially, the young athletes, Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, event sponsors and the AMC Sports Ad Hoc Committee whose efforts improve the quality of life for our residents by building strong relationships and international youth sports exchange programs in the Arizona-Mexico region."
An event of this magnitude could not have been possible without the support of organizations truly dedicated to help their communities, such as The Arizona Republic, La Voz and TV y Más, the Arizona Cardinals, Anheuser Busch, Inc, Hensley & Co., 180 Energy Drink, Food City, Nationwide Retirement Solutions, PMT Ambulance, Topete/Stonefield, Inc., Copper Canyon High School, Tolleson Union High School District, US Bank and Waste Management.
“The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is pleased to continue the Super Bowl legacy of Arizona-Sonora Bowl II,” said Bob Sullivan, host committee president. “We’re happy to help expose young people to friendly competition and international relationships.”
The Arizona-Sonora Bowl II was designed to strengthen relations and understanding between the two neighboring states, and was organized by a partnership between the Arizona-Mexico Commission, Maricopa County, Comisión Sonora-Arizona and the Comisión del Deporte del Estado de Sonora. The first Arizona-Sonora Bowl was played in conjunction with Super Bowl XXX in 1996. Profits will benefit the Sports Ad-Hoc Committee of the Arizona-Mexico Commission, which serves to foster the cultural, physical, and personal growth among children and teenagers through sports exchange between Arizona and Mexico.