Dec. 23, 2005
EL PASO, Texas - Northwestern's football team landed in El Paso, Texas to begin its final week of preparation for the Vitalis Sun Bowl, and was greeted with a warm and authentic `border welcome.' Sun Bowl executive director Bernie Olivas and his staff welcomed the Wildcat players and staff with a traditional Mariachi band and Folklorico dancers providing the entertainment.
With the Mariachi band playing and a large crowd on hand, the team departed the plane to a throng of Sun Bowl representatives, all clad in their best Northwestern purple.
Following introductions by Olivas, the team took part in helping the band sing traditional southwest Texas songs which included a hearty rendition of Feliz Navidad sung by the band and the entire Wildcat football team.
"Everything we heard before we got here about getting off the plane was true," said quarterback Brett Basanez. "That was some entrance to walk into. They made us feel very welcomed."
During one of the songs, the Folklorico dancers grabbed players and head coach Randy Walker to join them in dancing to the music.
"Coach Walker was cutting some rug," said Basanez jokingly. "I didn't know he had moves like that."
NU begins practice Saturday at 10 a.m. (MST) at Sorocco Athletic Complex.