For the New Orleans Bowl players, the week can be part vacation and part working road trip. Players arrived in New Orleans on Tuesday afternoon and received a warm New Orleans welcome.
Players Party
The New Orleans Bowl and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation both do a great job of welcoming these student athletes and really showing off New Orleans to the players and coaches. For each team the players party is a real chance to relax, enjoy some down time with team mates and indulge in local cuisine. Some local cuisine, and pizza, lots of pizza. Feeding and entertaining and entire college football team takes work. Here are a few photos from the Nevada players party held at the Shamrock in New Orleans.
Work and Play
Both teams have had two practices on the turf in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Today media events took time from head coaches and team starters. The players have adjusted to the media attention and seem to have their eye on Saturday’s game.
Some players from University of Nevada Reno are seeing the Crescent City for the first time and a few veterans from the University of Louisiana Lafayette will be making their 4th appearance in the bowl game.
Back Again!
Dominique Tovelli, the #52 RB for the Ragin Cajuns is from Columbia Mississippi and is excited about his 4th game and loves being in New Orleans. On his list, eat a Beignet!
First Visit
Brock Hekking is a senior at Nevada, the #56 DE is from Vacaville, California. This is his first visit to New Orlans. and he loves the seafood. He said is ready to get serious about Saturday’s game after the players party, time seeing the city and a visit to the R+L Gift Suite.
Besides the unveiling of the Bowl and MVP trophy, the Media Event marks the end of the vacation part of the trip and the beginning of serious game day prep. Tomorrow is the players luncheon and final practice.
2014 RLBowl
For more photos from practice, player events and happenings from New Orleans follow at @RLCarriers on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to “like” us on Facebook as well. Look for game day giveaways on social media during the game. Kickoff for the 2014 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl is 11:00 a.m. ET on Saturday December 20. Watch the game live on ESPN!
