Can't go to Quick Lane Bowl? NM State encourages fans to purchase ticket and donate it to Detroit-area youth
LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State football will be appearing in its fifth bowl game in team history this month, but unfortunately for fans, getting to the game in person will be a challenge.
The 6-6 Aggies play the 6-6 Bowling Green Falcons in the Dec. 26 Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. NM State, a surprise bowl invitee, is taking the spot of a Big 10 team in the bowl game.
On Tuesday, the university's athletics department announced an initiative that encourages fans to buy a ticket to the bowl game and then donate it back to the university, who will then gift it to Detroit-based youth groups.
More:Three things to know on Bowling Green entering the Quick Lane Bowl
In a news release, the athletics department noted it'll cost the university close to $400,000 to travel to Detroit. The team's share of the payout from playing in the Quick Lane Bowl is $150,000.
New Mexico State Athletics Director Mario Moccia has said the university will retain 100 percent of the revenue from the first 2,000 tickets it sells and 50 percent of the next 2,000 tickets, which why NMSU wants its fans to purchase a ticket even if they can't go to the game in person.
From those ticket sales, the university could recoup about $420,000, Moccia said, "which we'll definitely need because getting a football team to Detroit, and the band, and cheerleaders, and mascot, and spirit squad … it's not cheap."
NMSU will reward fans who take advantage of the initiative with gifts.
Buy 1 ticket ($89) and get a commemorative Quick Lane Bowl ticket and a bowl ticket holder.
Buy 3 tickets ($267) and get a commemorative Quick Lane Bowl ticket signed by Head Coach Jerry Kill, a bowl ticket holder and a short-sleeve bowl shirt.
Buys 5 tickets ($445) and get a commemorative Quick Lane Bowl ticket signed by Head Coach Jerry Kill, a bowl ticket holder, a long-sleeve bowl shirt and a team sweatshirt.
Buys 10 tickets ($890) and get a commemorative Quick Lane Bowl ticket signed by Head Coach Jerry Kill, a bowl ticket holder, a long-sleeve bowl shirt, a team sweatshirt and a football signed by Kill.
Buy 25 tickets ($2,225) and get a commemorative Quick Lane Bowl ticket signed by Head Coach Jerry Kill, a bowl ticket holder, a long-sleeve bowl shirt, a team sweatshirt, a football signed by Kill and a 2022 NM State football helmet.
Buy 50 tickets ($4,450) and get a commemorative Quick Lane Bowl ticket signed by Head Coach Jerry Kill, a bowl ticket holder, a long-sleeve bowl shirt, a team sweatshirt, a football signed by Kill, a 2022 NM State football helmet and a team Under Armour travel suit.
Fans can purchase tickets and learn more by visiting nmstatefootball.com, by calling Chet Savage at 575-646-2569, or in person at the Aggie Athletic Club office in the Fulton Center.
Why the Quick Lane Bowl?
Moccia, talking the Sun-News for the weekly Reporter's Notebook podcast, explained the Quick Lane Bowl invite was rather unexpected. He said the ESPN bowl schedule maker provided insight after the decision was made.
"Prior to all the upsets on championship Saturday … (New Mexico State football) would have gone to Dallas (for a bowl game) instead of going to Detroit," Moccia said. "But when USC lost, and two teams were taken from the Big 10 in the CFP (College Football Playoff), that upset the apple cart. I said, 'Wait a second. Are you telling me who gets selected in the Rose Bowl affects where the Aggies are going?' Yes, that was the answer."
Moccia said an invite to a bowl game in Albuquerque, Tucson or Dallas would have been great for fans wanting to go to the game in person, but the Quick Lane Bowl has its advantages for the program.
"We're taking a Big 10 slot. (The Quick Lane Bowl) is a Big 10 versus a Mid American Conference bowl matchup. With the two teams in the CFP, the Big 10 could not fulfill all their bowl requirements," he said. "This will be a Power 5 experience for our student athletes. I think that's just going to help in recruiting down the road."
Also, the Quick Lane Bowl is the only college football game on TV the day after Christmas.
"It's going to be on ESPN, which I think is in over 100 million homes around the country. While there are drawbacks, as obviously our fan base can't drive over there and it is very close to Christmas, it is a tremendous commercial for the institution for three and a half hours," he said.
Watch the game
The Quick Lane Bowl is being played Monday, Dec. 26, at Ford Field in Detroit. Kickoff will be at 12:30 p.m. Mountain Time and it will be broadcast on ESPN.
The NM State official watch party will be at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q, 1020 N. Telshor Blvd.
The game will also be shown at the Cineport 10 movie theater inside Mesilla Valley Mall. There is no cost to see the game inside the theater but seats are first come, first served.
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Lucas Peerman can be reached at lpeerman@lcsun-news.com or @LittleGuyInATie on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: NM State encourages fans to purchase bowl game ticket and donate it to Detroit-area youth
