‘Bowl swag’ lets participants collect more than memories
If coming up with the perfect present during the holidays for one person is stressful, try doing it for 250.
That is the annual task that faces those trying to select the ideal gift package for college bowl participants.
Most games try to avoid giving away the same thing. Most have watches, backpacks and hats but when it comes to the big gifts this is where the real competition begins.
Top gifts (non suite)
Fo r t h e 1 6 g a mes t h a t choose not to have gift suites, there are some interesting choices this year. Here are the top fifive:
Ap p l e Wa t c h N i ke + ( A l a mo B o wl ) : T h i s i s t h e o n l y g a me t h a t h a s announced it has the popular smartwatch as one of its gifts. Rick Hill, the game’s vice president of marketing, said they went up to the last-minute to make its decision and was in constant contact with Nike to make sure they could get them.
While most companies of fe r a di s c ount on bulk items, that is not the case with Apple watches, which have a retail value between $349-399.
Finrod’s Festive Wear (Armed Forces Bowl): Brant Ringler, the bowl’s executive director, said he got the idea two years ago when he saw Illinois arrive in Texas for bowl preparations wearing ugly holiday sweaters.
This year there are two colors, red and blue. Both feature the game’s sponsor’s logo, an F-35 jet, footballs and a goal post.
“I didn’t know if it was still popular but last week I saw seven college kids wearing ugly sweaters. It is nice to see the trend continuing,” Ringler said.
Re d , i n f l a t a b l e “B i g Lazy” couches (Arizona Bowl): The Tucson-based game is only two years old but is developing a reputation for unique gifts. Last year it was a pair of Cowtown custom cowboy boots where each team had its own fifitting sessions.
The boots aren’t one of the gifts this year but the inflflatable couch might get more use in a player’s dorm room or apartment.
Whatever the Cotton Bowl gives: This is the only game that does not reveal what their gifts are before the players arrive. However, the gifts are usually the best of all the bowls. Last year Alabama and Michigan State received an Apple Watch and Amazon Fire TV.
Bobblehead (Taxslayer Bowl): These are not your standard mass produced bobbleheads. Each player will get one with their face, name and uniform number.
Top gift suite items
This year 25 games are doing gift suites. In the case of the Fiesta Bowl, athletes from Clemson and Ohio State have the option of the gift suite or a PlayStation bundle that includes the game system and accessories.
Jon Cooperstein, director of the sports marketing division for PAC, said the big-ticket items remain the most popular.
Recliners: The leather chair, with two USB ports and a drink holder, remains the most popular item.
Michael Kors watches: Most games supply watches as gifts but some prefer having something more stylish or get one to give to a family member or girlfriend.
Mountain bikes: These have gained in popularity among the past year or two as athletes use them to commute around campus.
A m a z o n e c h o : T h e internet- connected wireless speaker with the digital assistant named Alexa has gained in popularity the past two bowl seasons.
Wireless headphones: Beats came out with a couple new versions before the holidays, which will make them more popular than some of the outdated ones.