SCOTTSDALE, AZ (November 20, 2024) – The Fiesta Sports Foundation, organizer of the annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade, has joined with the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) to elevate the experience for Arizona’s high school student-athletes, schools, families, fans and partners through a multi-year partnership.

This is the next step in a strategic alliance between the organizations that began with the introduction of the Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown in 2023, and followed with the Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Showdown and the announcement of the inaugural Fiesta Sports Foundation Preseason All-State teams in 2024 to recognize some of the top players in boys tackle and girls flag football.

“Our mission is to enhance the lives of Arizonans through youth, sports and education. This alliance with the AIA underscores our commitment to our student-athletes by supporting the provision of essential life skills and personal development opportunities through athletics,” said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. “We are excited to increase our support of girls flag football as the sport continues its remarkable trajectory.”

Starting immediately, the Fiesta Bowl will be the presenting partner of the AIA Flag Football Championship, which is in the playoff semifinal round today for the 6A, 5A and 4A classifications with the championship games slated for Saturday, November 23. Also within the partnership are promotional activations at the games – including the popular Most Valuable Player belt awarded to the game’s top performer.

Associated promotional assets will come within the games themselves, as part of the championship game broadcasts on Arizona’s Family Sports Regional Network, through social media and in the AIA’s weekly radio programming.

“Arizona has become a national leader in opportunities for student-athletes. And we’re very happy to be partnering with the Fiesta Sports Foundation to increase those opportunities,” said AIA Executive Director David Hines. “Through our partnership and shared vision, student-athletes will have more chances to be included in game broadcasts, see an increase in scholarship opportunities, and for fans to really be a part of our events. It’s a big deal for us, and for Arizona sports overall, to have a partner in the Fiesta Sports Foundation that is helping the AIA pave the way for athletic success and recognition.”

In addition to the on-the-field elements, the Fiesta Sports Foundation will be the presenting partner of the annual AIA Student-Athlete Leadership Summit each spring. This program includes students from every AIA member high school to learn and practice leadership skills, through workshops, guest speakers and discussions focused on topics relevant to being high school student-athletes in Arizona.

All state championship teams, and spirit squads, in football are invited to march in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, with expansion to other sports in future years.

ABOUT ARIZONA INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION

The AIA is a voluntary association of public and private Arizona high schools. Since 1913, the organization has created and sustained interscholastic activities that encourage maximum student participation by providing AIA member schools with an even playing field to ensure fair and equitable competition. The AIA believes that providing interscholastic activities for Arizona high school students creates personal development opportunities with a balanced focus on academics and extracurricular activities. Through its Arizona member schools, the AIA reaches more than 100,000 participants in high school activity programs. The organization hosts 5,000 championship contests and officiates more than 45,000 regular season games. For more information, visit www.aiaonline.org and www.azpreps365.com.