The ReliaQuest Bowl will bring national attention to Tampa Bay on New Year’s Eve when Iowa and Vanderbilt play each other for the first time.

Bowl officials announced the matchup Sunday and noted that both teams arrive after milestone seasons and strong finishes in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

Vanderbilt enters the game ranked 14th after its first 10-win season. Iowa comes in at No. 23 and returns to a bowl that has become a familiar stage for the Hawkeyes.

“We are absolutely thrilled to extend invitations to The University of Iowa and Vanderbilt University to play in this year’s ReliaQuest Bowl,” said ReliaQuest Bowl Chair Glenn Fasani. “These are two teams that we expect will produce a great match-up that fans are really going to be excited about. We look forward to hosting the teams and their fans and ensuring they will have an unforgettable experience in the dynamic Tampa Bay area.”

READ: For the Bay turns Tampa fandom into a family-built brand

For Vanderbilt, the game marks a big moment in a season that changed expectations inside the program.

“Playing in this game represents an important step for our program as we look to build upon our historic season,” said Clark Lea, E. Bronson Ingram Chair in Football. “We are grateful to have one final opportunity to compete as a team, and to be able to do that in such a prestigious bowl in a great city and against a respected opponent is all very meaningful.”

Lea said the chance to face Iowa raises the bar. “We will need our best performance to complete the mission against an Iowa program that has come to represent the level of sustained success we aspire to at Vanderbilt.”

Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for Athletics Candice Storey Lee said the team’s rise this season brought energy across the university. “Clark Lea’s Commodores have set records, brought our community together and done the hard work of correcting outdated narratives about what is possible at Vanderbilt,” she said. “We are just getting started, and I look forward to seeing Commodore Nation in Tampa to cheer on this remarkable team.”

Iowa arrives in Tampa with long experience at Raymond James Stadium and a fan base that has made this bowl a favorite.

READ: Demolition to begin for $125M mixed-use project in downtown St. Pete

“We are excited about the opportunity to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl,” said Iowa Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz. “This allows our players one last chance to play together in a city and Bowl that is a Hawkeye favorite for its hospitality and game day experience.”

University of Iowa Athletics Director Beth Goetz called the invitation a mark of consistency. “This marks the seventh time Iowa will compete in this bowl game, a testament to the consistency and excellence of our program. We are also deeply thankful for our passionate and loyal fan base. Your support makes moments like this so special.”

The 40th anniversary ReliaQuest Bowl will kick off at noon on December 31 at Raymond James Stadium. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or directly from the bowl office for priority seating.

Why it matters

A national audience. The New Year’s Eve time slot brings strong viewership for Tampa Bay.

Strong economic impact. Since its start, the bowl has brought more than 1 million out-of-market visitors to the region and created an estimated $1.2 billion in economic impact.

Support for local nonprofits. The game has donated more than $4.5 million to over 220 charities since 2016.

Continued momentum for sports tourism. Big matchups help Tampa stand out as a prime site for college football and major events.

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KSHB 41 reporter Elyse Schoenig covers the cities of Shawnee and Mission. She also focuses on issues surrounding the cost of health care, saving for retirement and personal debt. Share your story idea with Elyse.

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As a former competitive gymnast and someone who covers stories in the city of Shawnee, this story was made for me!

I’d heard that the Mill Creek Activity Center was renovating its space to take on more gymnasts. The center has more than 200 people on its waitlist!

Mill Creek Activity Center to increase gymnastics space to help meet demand in Johnson County

I also knew the state of Kansas discontinued its high school gymnastics program, so I honestly thought this was a perfect potential solution for any up-and-coming gymnastics lovers like me.

“I think there’s a little bit of a push just in youth sports across the board, trying to get kids active, trying to get them involved, giving them an outlet for socialization,” said Kendra Martiny, the Mill Creek Activity Center gymnastics program recreation coordinator.

Elyse Schoenig / KSHB

Mill Creek Activity Center… I’ll show up to your practices any day you’ll have me!

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (December 7, 2025) – History will be made when New Mexico and Minnesota meet for the first time ever in the 2025 Rate Bowl on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. Kickoff will feature a new time of 2:30 p.m. MST with the college football postseason matchup broadcast live on ESPN and its digital platforms.

New Mexico (9-3, 6-2 Mountain West) makes its second-ever Rate Bowl appearance, first since 1997, after a historic turnaround season under first-year head coach Jason Eck. The Lobos, who are bowl eligible for the first time since 2016, will face Minnesota (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten), who are bowl eligible for the third time in four seasons. The Gophers play in the Rate Bowl for the fifth time, looking for a second-straight win in the game after an 18-6 victory over West Virginia in 2021.

Tickets, including a variety of premium seating, are available by visiting ratebowl.com/tickets or calling (480) 350-0911.

“To host the first ever game between New Mexico and Minnesota after solid regular seasons by both teams makes this year’s Rate Bowl a can’t miss matchup. Bringing teams together from across the country is what makes Coca-Cola Bowl Season so unique,” said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. “The resurgence of Lobos football under Coach Eck, including their first sellout in 18 years, combined with Minnesota’s streak of 8 consecutive bowl victories, promises an incredible college football postseason experience for players, fans, alumni and families. An afternoon kickoff in downtown Phoenix, combined with our amazing weather and two highly motivated teams, will be a game you won’t want to miss.”

New Mexico earned its first bowl game invitation since 2016, its 14th bowl invite overall, achieving the program’s third nine-win season this century and tying for the most victories by a first-year head coach in school history. The Lobos finished the regular season in a four-way tie for the Mountain West regular season title. Minnesota has an eight-game bowl winning streak – the longest current streak in FBS – and a 13-11 Bowl Season record overall.

Winning six of their final eight games, the Lobos became bowl eligible for the first time in nine seasons with a thrilling 40-35 victory over UNLV on November 1. New Mexico finished the regular season with a perfect 6-0 record at home at University Stadium, marking the first time the Lobos have gone undefeated at home since 1962.

The Lobos’ offense is led by junior quarterback Jack Layne, an Idaho transfer who threw for 2,398 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding four rushing scores this season. Layne completed 65.9 percent of his passes and has guided New Mexico to one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football this season. The Lobos boast a deep and talented backfield with running backs Damon Bankston (578 rushing yards, 5 TDs), D.J. McKinney (454 yards, 7 TDs) and Scottre Humphrey (349 yards, 5 TDs) providing a three-headed rushing attack.

Keyshawn James-Newby and Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year Jaxton Eck anchor a Lobos defense that has been fundamental to New Mexico’s success. The defense recorded a program-record-tying nine sacks against New Mexico State and has been particularly stout against the run, allowing just 113.5 yards per game, which ranks 22nd nationally.

New Mexico’s head coach is Jason Eck, in his first season at the helm after previously serving as head coach at Idaho where he went 26-13 with three straight FCS Playoff appearances. The Wisconsin native and former Badgers offensive lineman has engineered one of college football’s most impressive turnarounds, leading the Lobos from an 11th-place preseason prediction to a share of the conference championship. Eck was named Mountain West Coach of the Year after transforming a program that brought in more than 70 new players, including quarterback Layne and several key contributors from his Idaho program.

Minnesota became bowl eligible in a 23-20 overtime victory over Michigan State on November 1 and capped off its first perfect season at home since 1967 with a 17-7 win over rival Wisconsin. The Gophers won five or more conference games for the fourth time in five seasons and the fifth time overall for Head Coach P.J. Fleck.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsay will look to close out what has been a solid debut season as Minnesota’s starter. He is 228-for-361 for 2,235 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, good for an efficiency rating of 126.9. In addition, he recorded a team-high four rushing touchdowns, and his seven wins this season are most by a freshman quarterback in Gophers history. Running back Darius Taylor leads Minnesota with 100 rushing attempts and 454 rushing yards with three touchdowns despite missing nearly five full games due to injury.

Minnesota has been one of the best teams in the country at getting after the quarterback, posting 35 sacks in 12 games. The rate of 3.09 sacks per game leads the Big Ten and is tied for fourth in the country. Anthony Smith, named All-Big Ten First Team, has been the top disruptor for the Gophers, leading the team with 13.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, the latter ranks second in the Big Ten and eighth nationally. In the secondary, John Nestor’s five interceptions are tied for the third-most in the nation.

“Bringing our Arizona neighbors from New Mexico to play Minnesota for the first time in their long histories, backed by dedicated fans and families, will make the Rate Bowl a special experience,” said Judy Bernas, Fiesta Sports Foundation Board Chair. “We look forward to making history with this matchup and we can’t wait for these teams to arrive and enjoy the holidays in sunny Arizona. This is truly a unique college football bowl event in which we transform a major league ballpark into a premier college football venue.” 

Over the course of its 35-year history, the Rate Bowl has hosted standout players like Ron Dayne, Drew Bledsoe, Aaron Rodgers and Larry Fitzgerald along with millions of fans across Arizona. Hosted by the Fiesta Sports Foundation, the Rate Bowl kicks off Arizona’s Coca-Cola Bowl Season action. Following the conclusion of the game, the 75,000 square feet of Bermuda Sports Sod will be donated to C.O. Greenfield Academy of Design & Innovation, part of the Roosevelt School District in south Phoenix.

One week after the Rate Bowl, the fun of Bowl Season continues at 10 a.m. MST on Saturday, January 3, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe. Arizona’s highest-attended single-day event is free for all fans to attend. Additionally, the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Thursday, January 8, 2026, with the winner punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami.

All tickets purchased for the 2025 Rate Bowl support the Fiesta Sports Foundation and its mission to enhance Arizona nonprofits through its three pillars of youth, sports and education.

 

ABOUT THE FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION

Since 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.

 

The Grand Island YMCA’s pool has six lanes, which does not meet the city’s needs. A new Aquatics Center at the Veteran’s Village Good Life District project would provide a replacement for the YMCA pool. The YMCA opened at its current site in 1979. (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)

GRAND ISLAND – A revised plan for an Aquatics Center at Veteran’s Village funded by the Good Life District program should meet Grand Island’s needs for the next several decades, Grand Island City Council member Ryan O’Neill said Dec. 7.

Woodsonia Real Estate unveiled its plan for an Aquatics Center at a Nov. 12 City Council meeting with plans for a three-lane pool. City Council members told Woodsonia that a three-lane pool would not meet the community’s needs and asked Woodsonia to present a revised plan at the Dec. 9 City Council meeting.

Woodsonia asked on Nov. 12 that a city representative be designated to work with them on the revised plan, and Ryan O’Neill was selected.

Although a little confusing for attribution because of the same last name, Pat O’Neill of Grand Island is a spokesman for the Grand Island YMCA concerning the Aquatics Center, and his comments are included in the second half of this story. Comments in the first part of this story are from Ryan O’Neill.

The revised plan for the Aquatics Center includes a 10-lane, 25-yard competitive pool; a diving well to accommodate two diving boards, seating capacity for at least 400 attendees, a warm water therapy pool with zero depth entry, and a Jacuzzi.

Ryan O’Neill estimated that the cost of the Aquatics Center would be $25 million, which is $10 million more than the cost for the initial Aquatics Center.

“The 10-lane design should reasonably meet our long-term needs by allowing the pool to be segmented for multiple uses at peak times. With only six lanes, that’s very difficult today, and while eight would help, 10 lanes provide the flexibility needed for the next several decades,” O’Neill said.

The warm water pool “would comfortably accommodate about 30 to 40 people at a time and have the ability for more during really busy periods,” O’Neill said.

He said that the warm water pool would include splash pad elements for young children.

It was considered to have a “lazy river,” which the city currently has at Island Oasis, but the decision was made not to include a lazy river.

“We looked at a range of warm water features, but ultimately focused the warm water pool on flexible, scheduled needs such as therapy, lessons, and family friendly recreation. The goal is for this aquatics center to complement, rather than compete with other aquatic facilities in the city,” O’Neill said.

He commented about how many people the Aquatics Center could serve at any one time.

“At peak, the Aquatics Center could accommodate 200-plus swimmers across all pools in an open swim environment. Actual numbers would vary based on schedules that balance lap lanes, lessons, therapy, and recreational use, and the facility will also provide seating for up to 400 spectators in the bleachers plus additional space in the multipurpose room for teams and events,” O’Neill said.

“The original proposal was simply too small to meet our needs. A three-lane pool cannot reasonably replace an aging six lane pool that was already at capacity and did not include a viable warm water therapy option,” O’Neill said.

Ryan O’Neill described his background with the YMCA pool.

“I’ve been swimming at the YMCA for about 40 years since I grew up here. I’m an experienced lap swimmer, and our kids swam in competitive meets in the past. I’ve attended meets at other facilities and through that experience, I’m very familiar with how our current pool operates as well as the challenges and needs that a modern indoor aquatics center should address,” O’Neill said.

The Veteran’s Village plan at the Aquatics Center site includes space available for an adjacent facility such as a YMCA.

“The site’s master plan does allow for another building next to the Aquatics Center that could accommodate such a facility. That would depend on the YMCA or another interested community partner securing the necessary funding and submitting a proposal,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill said it is possible that if the YMCA has a site at the Veteran’s Village location, it could manage the Aquatics Center and Sports Complex.

“That is a possibility, and the YMCA has experience with aquatics in our community. Any management decisions should be handled through an open, competitive proposal process to best meet the needs for each facility,” O’Neill said.

Woodsonia Real Estate would construct the Aquatics Center, and then the city would own the building, O’Neill said.

“I support a model where the City owns the Aquatics Center, but a third-party operator with aquatics experience is contracted to run the facility,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill said the consulting firm Brandstetter Carroll, which offers architectural, engineering, and planning services, participated in conversations with Woodsonia Real Estate after the Nov. 12 meeting. Woodsonia Real Estate involved Brandstetter Carroll in its original plan presented on Nov. 12.

Pat O’Neill of Grand Island is the spokesman for the Grand Island YMCA concerning the proposed Aquatics Center. Pat O’Neill served on the YMCA’s board from 2019 to 2025.

The remaining references to “O’Neill” in this article are Pat O’Neill’s responses to questions.

Pat O’Neill said that the new proposal for the Aquatics Center should meet the community’s needs for at least the next 15 to 20 years. The Grand Island YMCA opened in 1979, so the current YMCA pool has served the community for 46 years.

“The YMCA pool was open for about 15 years before the push began for a new pool in the mid-1990s. This Aquatics Center certainly seems to satisfy the biggest portion of the community’s needs,” Pat O’Neill said.

The revised proposal “checks 95 percent of the boxes” for what is needed for a community Aquatics Center, O’Neill said.

“The only thing I see would be the need for some more multi-purpose room space and maybe some expanded seating,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill said that he has not had any conversations with Woodsonia Real Estate since the Nov. 12 City Council meeting.

“While the swimming pool is certainly my top concern, it is only a portion of a project that would bring over half of a billion dollars of construction to Grand Island, so they may be very busy,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill commented about whether the size of the proposed warm water pool was large enough to meet the city’s needs.

“Based on the size of the warm water pool on the plans, it seems to be larger than I expected and should help meet the need for a warm water therapy-type pool for seniors and physical rehab as well as use by the general public,” Pat O’Neill said.

O’Neill commented about whether the YMCA would open a facility at the Veteran’s Village site.

“The original Good Life District proposal included an entire new YMCA at Veteran’s Village. Unfortunately, the Legislature has made changes…that greatly reduced the amount of funding available to Woodsonia,and the new YMCA was reduced to a new pool,” Pat O’Neill said.

“I had several conversations with the former City Administrator about the YMCA’s interest in managing the pool and building the new YMCA adjacent to it. I have recently been informed that the City Administration’s current idea is to have one firm run the Sports Complex, ball fields, and Aquatics Center. The YMCA is certainly interested in building a new YMCA at Veteran’s Village, but that will largely rest on how the city-owned Aquatics Center will be managed,” Pat O’Neill said.

O’Neill described what features a YMCA located at Veteran’s Village would have.

“The facility at Veteran’s Village would be a replacement for the aging facility downtown. It would include everything from fitness classes, weights, cardio equipment, and yoga classes. The heart of the YMCA would continue to be service to the community through childcare, youth sports (football, basketball, volleyball, taekwondo, soccer, swim lessons, swim team, etc…) and our senior aerobics and mobility classes,” Pat O’Neill said.

O’Neill talked about what would happen to the existing YMCA building if a new YMCA is constructed.

“If the YMCA is chosen to manage the Aquatics Center and is allowed to build a new YMCA, it would replace the current YMCA, which would likely be sold,” Pat O’Neill said.

O’Neill described what the differences would be between a new YMCA and the proposed indoor Sports Complex.

“The Sports Complex’s primary goal is to bring in large numbers of out-of-town visitors in for tournaments and competitions. The YMCA would be mostly focused on local recreation and fitness opportunities. While no plans are set, the YMCA would likely include weights, cardio, fitness and yoga classes, a variety of youth sports and senior activities as well as multiple courts for volleyball, basketball, pickleball, and maybe even some newer activities,” Pat O’Neill said.

O’Neill said that the YMCA and indoor Sports Complex would have different goals and serve different clientele.

“I believe the YMCA and Sports Complex would complement each other very well, as there are some synergies to be gained being on the same campus,” Pat O’Neill said.

O’Neill said that a new YMCA would not be constructed using Good Life District program funds. He said that the YMCA construction would have to be financed with private funds and fund-raising.

O’Neill commented about what would happen to the current YMCA’s pool if a new Aquatics Center is constructed.

“If the YMCA is chosen to operate the new pool, then the old pool would likely close. If the new Aquatics Center is managed by someone else, the YMCA would have some tough decisions to make. The YMCA could close and demolish the existing pool, or they could end up operating it while the YMCA designs a new YMCA or has renovations at its current facility,” Pat O’Neill said.

“The existing pool is in too bad of shape to continue being the only indoor pool in town, but under a reduced workload, the pool may be operable to support the YMCA swim teams, swim lessons and other YMCA-dedicated activities,” Pat O’Neill said.

“I would like to thank the Council for their leadership on this issue, particularly Councilman (Ryan) O’Neill. I know he has put in a lot of hours trying to iron out the details on this. City administration and other council members have also put in a lot of work.  Jack Sheard has been very helpful,” Pat O’Neill said.

Pat O’Neill said he would also like to thank Woodsonia Real Estate.

“Those guys saw the opportunity of the Good Life District and took their own time and own money to apply for the state Good Life District project. While the entire development will be a huge asset to the city, I am particularly delighted that Woodsonia is willing to build such a nice aquatics facility, even after all the changes the Legislature has enacted. It’s a testament to the cooperation between Woodsonia, Chief (Construction), and the City of Grand Island,” Pat O’Neill said.

Sports Director

Grand Junction, Colorado

Garrett was born and raised in the heart of California’s Central Valley in Clovis, California.

He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2021 with a degree in Journalism.

While there he was involved with student media and interned at an ESPN radio station.

Garrett then returned to his hometown for his first job after college as a Digital Content/News Producer in Fresno. While getting to cover news in his hometown was special, Garrett wanted to get back to doing what he really loved: covering sports and telling the stories of amazing athletes.

When he’s not covering sports in the Grand Valley Garrett, no surprise can often be found watching sports. His favorite teams are the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and his hometown Fresno State Bulldogs. He says you can probably guess his mood on any given day based solely on how one of his favorite teams did that day.

Outside of sports Garrett loves live music, traveling, and cooking.

Garrett says he would appreciate anyone reaching out with story ideas, or to complain about your fantasy football team, so long as you’re ready to hear how bad his team is as well.

ROCHESTER — After 50 years of existence, North Star FC is still dreaming big.

North Star FC, formerly known as Minnesota Rush and before that as Rochester Youth Soccer Association, Rochester’s primary soccer club would love to have its own outdoor playing complex.

It’s a club that keeps growing, including outside of Rochester (Albert Lea, Austin, Winona), and would like to grow some more.

“We’d like to have our own fields, just for the control that would provide,” said North Star FC Executive Director Kevin Lowery, whose association plays its Rochester outdoor games at Fuad Mansour Soccer Complex in northeast Rochester, as well as Watson Soccer Complex in northwest Rochester. “Eventually, it will happen.”

Lots has already happened with North Star FC. Lowery, who guesses that North Star FC is the largest soccer association in the state, has a massive membership. That includes 4,400 members on the recreation side of things and another 2,200 on the competitive side, 600 adults and another 250 in the 3-5 year-old age group.

Winona, Albert Lea and Austin are a part of that. And it wasn’t North Star FC recruiting those soccer communities to join North Star FC. It was the other way around.

“We’ve never gone out and tried to ask other clubs to join us,” Lowery said. “Winona, Albert Lea and Austin, all of those people have reached out to us.”

Lowery has a full-time staffer who’s in charge of watching over those three outlying communities. Most nights, through the year, Fabian Becerril is at one of those three locations, overseeing the soccer that is run through North Star FC. Becerril mentors coaches, evaluates players and answers to parents.

Becerril is part of a diverse seven-person full-time and one-person part-time staff at North Star FC. It’s a staff that has also continually grown, including it having recently hired Wayne Harrison, a world-renowned coach who is one of North Star FC’s technical directors for under-13 through under-19 divisions.

“His daughter was working at Mayo (Clinic) and then he moved here,” Lowery said. “He asked us if we had any spots open. Our board president (Rob Kraichely) jumped at (the opportunity to hire him). And Harrison has been great.”

Lowery, who’s been the club’s director since 2014, grew up in Pennsylvania. After a move to Alaska with his wife, she took a job at IBM in Rochester. They’d figured at first it would be a temporary move.

But they’ve enjoyed it here way too much to leave. That includes Lowery’s job as North Star FC’s executive director. He loves his work.

There is lots for him to oversee. Included in that is North Star FC’s own two-field indoor facility, where Lowery has his office and North Star FC has its own soccer store, which is run by long-time club employee Neil Cassidy. North Star FC’s building is at 380 Woodlake Dr. SE, in Rochester, near Whistle Binkies South.

“We want to make sure that Rochester FC is a top-tier club that cares for its kids (and adults),” Lowery said. “Our new slogan is, ‘We are a lifelong club.’”

It’s a life’s work that Lowery can’t get enough of.

“I’m having a blast with it,” Lowery said. “It doesn’t feel like work at all because of the fantastic staff we have and that we’ve built through the years. We have challenges with it once in a while. But I love watching kids and adults play. I love seeing 3-year-olds come out and kick a ball. That is what it’s all about.”