Fresno State Athletics
Competitive Spirit Shines at Kickoff Banquet
12/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 22, 2014
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
HONOLULU -- On Monday night, the Fresno State football team joined the Rice Owls for the final pre-bowl event before Wednesday's game - the 2014 Hawai'i Bowl Kickoff Banquet at the Sheraton Waikiki.
"To be able to experience the warmth of the Hawaiian culture, the different food and tremendous memories, we really appreciate this opportunity and are very thankful to have been invited to the Hawai'i Bowl," Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter said. "We have a great deal of respect for Rice and their coaching staff. They are a really classy group. We think it is going to be a terrific match-up. It was nice to have both teams together at one final nice event before we want to beat each other (on Wednesday)."
The teams' past history was noted by Mistress of Ceremonies and longtime ESPN reporter Holly Rowe as she recalled her memories of covering the Fresno State and Rice when they were both in Western Athletic Conference. Rowe, an alumna of the University of Utah, asked both DeRuyter and Rice coach David Bailiff about their journeys to the bowl game with DeRuyter making a nod to his senior team captain in helping lead Fresno State to another bowl game.
"When we lost at Boise State (on Oct. 17) and were 3-5, Derron Smith pulled the guys together and told them they were coming back for the championship game," DeRuyter said of one of the season's defining moments. "Our coaching staff and players continued to believe. I can't say enough about how Brian (Burrell) led the team. He didn't let it faze him when we went with someone else for a game. He just stay focused on getting better."
Throughout the program, the competitive spirit came through in the cheers led by the school's spirit squads, the energy of the players and quick wit of the head coaches.
Shortly after Bailiff shared with the crowd how Rice had the greatest university president in the country in his closing remarks, DeRuyter deftly countered that he must have met Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro.
"We clearly have the greatest President in the country and finest First Lady," DeRuyter said. "I also want to let everyone know that Steve Robertello (Fresno State Interim Co-Director of Athletics) made sure at the conference meetings six weeks ago that each division champion was guaranteed a bowl bid and that's one of the reasons why we are here. The Hawai'i Bowl is a great reward."
Tuesday will mark a change as the bowl week events turn to strictly to football - even DeRuyter has liked his squad's on-field work so far this week and remains determined to leave Hawai'i with an early Christmas present - a bowl victory.
"Tomorrow, we will be in our traditional Friday mode where we do a walk through and it's very game-like," DeRutyer said. "We've had a great week. But as I've reminded our players all week long, with all the experiences that you get out here, the one thing you are going to remember is those last three hours and we have to make that count.
Fresno State and Rice will meet again on Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium on Wednesday at 5 p.m. PT. The 2014 Hawai'i Bowl will be broadcast on ESPN.
"Be Bold!" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio.
