Dec. 15, 2009
PHOTO GALLERY: Outback Bowl Contract Signing Party (photos by Bob Fiallo)
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Four days after official invitations were extended to Northwestern University and Auburn University for the 24th annual Outback Bowl, athletic administrators and the two respective head coaches from both institutions gathered in Tampa, Fla., at Raymond James Stadium to take part in the Walter Energy Contract Signing Party.
The annual event, which draws more than 900 sponsors and Outback Bowl club members, kicks off the bowl festivities that are capped with the New Year's Day game (11 a.m. ET). On hand to welcome the crowd and two schools was Jim McVay, Outback CEO and president, and Gwen Mitchell, chairman of this year's Outback Bowl.
Just prior to the contract signing party, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald and Auburn coach Gene Chizik conducted two hours of media interviews, primarily with local media as well as ESPN.
Northwestern's advance bowl team also spent Thursday in Tampa visiting its team hotel, team practice site, Raymond James Stadium and the bowl office.