OPINIONS
Legend's View:
Tradition brings enjoyment, business to Valley
As Ian Johnson scampered into the end zone for the two-point conversion to cap off an improbable upset over powerhouse Oklahoma, the Boise State Broncos and their fans erupted in celebration.
The pandemonium only escalated as Johnson, who rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown to go along with his game winning conversion, found his way over to his girlfriend, Broncos cheerleader Chrissy Popadics, and asked her to marry him. She said yes, adding further excitement to one of the greatest games in college football history.
The beauty of it all is that it happened right here in the Valley. Over the years the Fiesta Bowl has produced many exciting games that have taken place right here in our backyard.
Every year the game brings in thousands of fans from all over the country to support their team in its biggest game of the season. The result is an injection into the local economy.
Hotels and restaurants see an enormous increase in business during the week leading up to the game. The Sunday night before the BCS National Championship game, Mill Avenue was flooded with the bright red of Ohio State fans, many of whom have made the cross country trip to cheer on their team.
As college football continues to rise in popularity, the debate over whether or not there should be a playoff system continues to grow as well. Many believe there are too many good teams every year to just pick two teams to put into a National Championship game.
While the debate over whether or not to implement a college playoff system may go on for quite some time, there is one tradition residents of the Valley should fight to keep around.
For 36 years the Fiesta Bowl has taken place in Arizona. The bowls are great not only for fans but for the players privileged enough to play in the games.
Members of the Fiesta Bowl work hard year round to prepare for not only that bowl but also the Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium.With the addition of the BCS Championship game, Arizona will also now have the honor of hosting the biggest game in college football once every four years.
If the NCAA does decide to go to a playoff system, the semifinals of that playoff should take place within the bowls that have already been around for years.
Arizona has a rich bowl history that brings excitement, thousands of visitors, and millions of dollars into the local economy every year. Playoffs or not, there is no need to throw away a fine tradition like big time college football in the Valley.