Fresno State Athletics
Big Red Ride Winner
12/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
Dec. 3, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Bulldog Stadium was filled with Fresno State fans for tonight's final home game of the 2010 season. One lucky loyal fan walked away with a brand new Honda CR-V custom designed and wrapped with Bulldog pride.
The Fresno State Athletic department started a contest at the beginning of the season and had fans enter to win a three year lease on a 2010 Honda CR-V. A semi-finalist was chosen at each of the six home games and they were all brought together before the final home game to see who would win the Big Red Ride. The finalists met at the Red Lot Tailgate on Bulldog Boulevard and enjoyed some delicious food as they awaited to see who held the keys to the car.
The first semi-finalist who was chosen at the Cincinnati game was Eric Moreno. Moreno is a student at Fresno State majoring in sports management. The second preliminary winner was Darlene Franks who was chosen at the Cal Poly game. Franks is a nurse practitioner from Dinuba. The third finalist was Adam Moore, a construction worker, who was chosen at the Hawai'i game. John Sims, a Fresno County sheriff was the fourth finalist who was picked at the New Mexico State game. The fifth finalist was Ashley Ham, a waitress, who was chosen at the Nevada game. The sixth and final finalist was Nancy Turner, an assistant manager at CVS pharmacy, who was picked at the Idaho home game.
Associate athletic director, Paul Ladwig, handed out a set of keys to all six finalists and allowed them to try their luck at turning on the Big Red Ride. Sims and Moore started the fun off by trying to start the car, however both of their keys did not get that engine running. Third time was a charm for Franks who jumped in the Big Red Ride and turned her key and got the Honda running in no time.
"I am so thankful," said Franks. "This means so much to my husband and I."
Franks and her husband are season ticket holders at Bulldog Stadium and never miss a home game. At the Cal Poly game Franks' husband had dropped his ticket on the way in. Franks decided to enter in the car giveaway while she was waiting for her husband to look around for his ticket. At the tailgate, Franks discussed how three was her favorite number and she was chosen as the third finalist to try to turn the car on.
"We are so happy," exclaimed Franks.
The fellow semi-finalists all walked away with two free tickets to tonight's football game against Illinois, free tailgate food, and ten dollars in gift certificates.
"We Are Your Team!" Be sure to check out gobulldogs.com for all of the latest Bulldog giveaways and information on all of your favorite Bulldog sports teams!
