Hosting the very first quarter -final of university football at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl changed the game for the Fiesta Sports Foundation.
The traditional VRBO Fiesta Bowl calendar was a piece of history because the enlarged university football playoffs instituted a first round played in mid-December, only 10 days before the VRBO Fiesta Bowl.
What activities could the bowl plan? How would teams coordinate travel and hotels so quickly?
While the teams arrived for this year’s historic match, the chairman of the first -year board of directors Judy Bernas has received an unsolicited approval as to the impact of the organization of a periodic vacation visitor at the valley.
“I remember when the coach (Penn State) (James) Franklin spoke to his players about what it meant to be at the Fiesta Bowl,” recalls Bernas. “He said that we were the best and that his team was lucky to play here.
“It made me proud of all those who put their hearts and souls in this organization. It is always an effort of collaboration and a work of love for all of us.”
When the match started the evening of the New Year, the Nittany Lions began strong and won their eighth Fiesta Bowl in as many visits, a 31-14 victory against Boisé State. Penn State qualified in the CFP semi-finals with the victory, after beating SMU at home during the first round match of the CFP.
Despite the shorter week of the VRBO Fiesta Bowl game match, Bernas thought that the organization offered a complete experience of the bowl season while maintaining its high level of hospitality.
Bernas is the third woman in the history of the Fiesta Sports Foundation to be elected Chairman of the Board of Directors following the end Sherry Henry and the late Ellie Ziegler. Like Bernas, the two women led the organization through a period of transition and change. Although Honoré, Bernas quickly points out that it takes more than one person to make a difference.
“We have an incredible board which is devoted and cares about this organization,” said Bernas. “They take the time to understand him and support him while helping to guide where we are going in the future.
“It is an exciting period. There are so many changes in university sports and we are sure to continue to be one of the first bowls of all university football. It is an intimidating responsibility.”
Bernas grew up in the Sun Valley and has always had a love for competition and sports. It was a feature that she inherited from her father who also helped present her the organization she directs today.
“Sport was how my father and I spent time together,” said Bernas. “He trained me in softball and volleyball and taught me playing golf. Sports were our connection.
“We also attended and watched sports together. We have gone to many football matches, including many Fiesta bowls. This is where my love for the bowl started.”
Bernas graduated from Bourgade Catholic High School in Phoenix, then followed in the footsteps of her brothers and sisters and attended the University of Arizona where she obtained a diploma in journalism. She reluctantly admits, laughing, she had a children’s card from the Arizona State Sun Devils, but basically, she has always been a Wildcat of Arizona in the soul.
After graduating, she worked as a sports editor and journalist for the Dispatch American and Casa Grande Odessa (TX). During her stay in Odessa, she received additional compensation for working on Friday evening to help cover the secondary football matches, more cultivating her love for football.
Bernas returned to U of A where she had a career of almost 25 years which focused on communications, external / public relations and government affairs. She left Arizona in 2016 and is now working for the TCU School of Medicine as vice-dean and responsible for communication and strategy.
During her stay in Tucson, she became a philanthropic leader in the non -profit community which included an opportunity to acquire experience on the impact of the state of Arizona on the national sports scene.
In his post of state lobbyist for the university, Bernas developed a deep well of connections to the Capitol. While working in this role, Bernas was appointed to the Board of Directors of Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZ-STA) by Governor Jane Dee Hull and the President of the Chamber.
By progressing on the Board of Directors of the AZ-STA, Bernas learned the subtleties of the sports of Arizona, in particular the Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona Cardinals.
Bernas joined the Fiesta Sports Foundation Board in 2013 where she sat on committees in appointment and governance, hospitality, charity, strategic planning and audit and compliance.
During her more than a decade of service, she saw enormous changes in the global university sports landscape. An area she was the happiest to see was more leadership opportunities for women across the country as conference commissioners, sports directors and in the board of directors.
“To have a female perspective on problems, I think that can be super useful,” said Bernas. “Women can be extraordinary leaders, just like men. In sport, you must have the ability to bring it and demonstrate that you can go beyond.”
While we honor pioneer women during the month of women’s history in March, Bernas will always recognize the past, but she also seeks to supervise and inspire future leaders of tomorrow.
“Don’t even see the walls there,” said Bernas. “Jump on them. There are walls thrown in front of us everywhere and you can’t let them stop.”