Last week, I was able to make the trip down to Dallas, Texas as the Bearcats were playing in the biggest game in school history, as they became the first “Group of Five” team to make it to the College Football Playoff. The Bearcats weren’t only making their first appearance in the College Football Playoff, but they were looking to make a statement and shock the world when they took on No. 1 Alabama.
I flew in late Tuesday evening, as all the media stuff had changed to virtual press conferences due to the ongoing pandemic, so it changed a lot of the plans for the week, but it still was an awesome experience, to say the least as we got to join press conferences from both teams, the Bearcats, and the Crimson Tide. It was a tremendous experience to be a part of all week leading up to the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve. I arrived in Dallas Tuesday night around 10 pm after taking part of the press conferences early in the afternoon that featured members of the Bearcats defense, led by defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Darrien Beavers, Coby Bryant, Joel Dublanko, followed by the offensive press conferences from the Crimson Tide that included, Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brian, offensive lineman Evan Neal, running back Brian Robinson, Jr. and wide receiver Jameson Williams.
I flew in Tuesday night so we spent the night relaxing by the pool ahead of Wednesday’s mornings press conferences that featured members of the Bearcats, and the Crimson Tide, that included Curtis Brooks, Josh Whyle, Tre Tucker, Bryan Cook for the Bearcats, as well as Slade Bolden, DJ Dale, Christian Harris, Cameron Latu for the Crimson Tide.
So, Wednesday morning I woke up early got my day started by taking part in those virtual press conferences to kick off the day, before I headed over to the media headquarters in downtown Dallas where I checked in picked up my credentials for the week, and in spent some time in the absolute insane media hospitality room where credentialed media members hung out and really took the time to talk to other writers, and media members and take in the whole bowl week experience. Once I checked in, I received a nice North Face jacket with the Cotton Bowl and College Football Playoff logo on it, as well as some other goodies. I took about an hour and half to really check out the media hospitality where they had food for media members, drinks, snacks, two pool tables, two ping pong tables, a pop-a-shot machine, two incredible gaming stations, as well as some massage chairs, for members to really relax and sit back and watch other bowl games that were taking place around the country. However, after checking out the room in the afternoon I met up with Justin and our friend who also made the trip down ahead of the Media Olympics that took place that night and we went and checked out Gallaria Mall, which is a four floor mall, that includes 85+ stores, a big ice skating rink, and much more, so I spent some time to look at all of the stores before I got back to our hotel and relaxed for a little before heading back to the Media Headquarters.
