PR and campaigning for bowl games

I am a bit biased, because it is about my alma mater, but this Chicago Tribune article about Northwestern University campaigning to get a quality bowl game for its football team this year is interesting. While a team's record is a major part of its bowl selection, other criteria makes up the final decision, including how much fans are willing to travel and spend money.

"Northwestern became bowl-eligible after earning a sixth victory Oct. 18," the Tribune article says. "But the tricky and tireless part for [athletic director Jim] Phillips is campaigning to put the Wildcats in a bowl with the most appeal." Phillips has been sending out photographs of the 1996 Rose Bowl featuring Northwestern and making phone calls to those making bowl game decisions. He is also happy that fans and alumni are excited about the first bowl-eligible Wildcat team since 2005. I agree: Go 'Cats!

The Tribune also has a piece that mentions this year's campaign from University of Texas coach Mack Brown. Sports reporters are buzzing about the Bowl Championship Series' decision to put the University of Oklahoma above UT in the standings on Sunday. Meanwhile, USA Today discusses "style points" to help a team's standings.