Hosting the first-ever College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl was a game changer for the Fiesta Sports Foundation.
The traditional Vrbo Fiesta Bowl schedule was a piece of history, as the expanded College Football Playoff instituted a First Round played in mid-December, only 10 days prior to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
What activities could the Bowl schedule? How would the teams coordinate travel and hotels so quickly?
As the teams arrived for this year’s historic matchup, first-year Board Chair Judy Bernas received an unsolicited endorsement about the organization’s impact from a periodic holiday visitor to the Valley.
“I remember when (Penn State) Coach (James) Franklin talked to his players about what it meant to be at the Fiesta Bowl,” recalled Bernas. “He said we were the best and his team was lucky to play here.
“It made me proud for everyone who puts their heart and soul into this organization. It is always a collaborative effort and labor of love for all of us.”
When the game kicked off on New Year’s Eve, the Nittany Lions started strong and went on to win their eighth Fiesta Bowl in as many visits, a 31-14 win over Boise State. Penn State advanced to the CFP Semifinal with the victory, after beating SMU at home in the CFP First Round matchup.
Despite the shorter Vrbo Fiesta Bowl game week, Bernas believed the organization provided a full Bowl Season experience while maintaining its high standard of hospitality.
Bernas is the third woman in Fiesta Sports Foundation history to be elected Board Chair following the late Sherry Henry and the late Ellie Ziegler. Like Bernas, both women led the organization through a period of transition and change. While honored, Bernas quickly points out that it takes more than one person to make a difference.
“We have an amazing board that is dedicated to and cares about this organization,” said Bernas. “They take time to understand and support it while helping to guide where we are going in the future.
“This is an exciting time. There is so much change in college sports and we are ensuring we continue to be one of the premier bowls in all of college football. It is a daunting responsibility.”
Bernas grew up in the Valley of the Sun and always had a love for competition and sports. It was a trait she inherited from her father who also helped introduce her to the organization she is leading today.
“Sports was how my dad and I spent time together,” said Bernas. “He coached me in softball and volleyball and taught me how to play golf. Sports was our connection.
“We also attended and watched sports together. We went to a lot of football games, including many Fiesta Bowls. That was where my love for the Bowl started.”
Bernas graduated from Bourgade Catholic High School in Phoenix, then followed in her siblings’ footsteps and attended the University of Arizona where she earned a degree in Journalism. She reluctantly admits, with a laugh, she had an Arizona State Sun Devils Kids Card growing up, but deep down she was always an Arizona Wildcat at heart.
Following graduation, she worked as sportswriter and reporter for the Odessa (TX) American and Casa Grande Dispatch. While in Odessa, she received additional compensation for working on Friday nights to help cover high school football games, further cultivating her love for football.
Bernas returned to U of A where she enjoyed a close to 25-year career that focused on Communications, External / Public Relations and Government Affairs. She left Arizona in 2016 and now works for the TCU School of Medicine as its Vice Dean and Chief Communication and Strategy Officer.
While in Tucson, she became a philanthropic leader in the nonprofit community which included an opportunity to gain experience about the state of Arizona’s impact on the national sports scene.
In her position as state lobbyist for the University, Bernas developed a deep well of connections at the Capitol. While working in that role, Bernas was appointed to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZ-STA) Board by Governor Jane Dee Hull and the Speaker of the House.
Advancing on the AZ-STA Board to Chair, Bernas learned the intricacies of Arizona sports, specifically the Fiesta Bowl and Arizona Cardinals.
Bernas joined the Fiesta Sports Foundation Board in 2013 where she served on committees in nominating & governance, hospitality, charitable giving, strategic planning and audit and compliance.
During her more than a decade of service, she saw tremendous change in the overall college sports landscape. One area she was most excited to see was more leadership opportunities for women throughout the country as conference commissioners, athletic directors and in the board room.
“To have a female perspective on the issues, I think can be super helpful,” said Bernas. “Women can be extraordinary leaders just like men. In sports, you must have the ability to bring it and demonstrate you can go above and beyond.”
As we honor the trailblazing women during Women’s History Month in March, Bernas will always recognize the past, but she is also looking to mentor and inspire the future women leaders of tomorrow.
“Do not even see the walls that are out there,” said Bernas. “Leap over them. There are walls thrown up in front of us everywhere and you cannot let them stop you.”
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