BOWL SEASON

Bruce Skinner first joined the Fiesta Bowl in 1973 as an assistant director before serving as the Fiesta Bowl’s executive director during a formative time from 1980 to 1990. Under Skinner’s guidance, the Fiesta Bowl elevated into one of college football’s premier New Year’s Day games, ascending into the same league as the Rose, Sugar, Orange and Cotton Bowls. 

One of Skinner’s most significant innovations was negotiating the first title sponsorship for a college bowl game, securing Sunkist Growers in 1985, which paved the way for modern sports event sponsorships. He also oversaw the move of the Fiesta Bowl to New Year’s Day, aligning it with the country’s most prestigious bowls, and orchestrated matchups that carried national championship implications. This included creating the 1987 National Championship matchup of Penn State and Miami that pitted #1 vs. #2 in a primetime contest on January 2, still remembered as one of the most-watched in college football history.

Skinner helped redefine how bowl games are marketed and sponsored. His visionary strategy and deep commitment to the community helped guide the Fiesta Bowl to greater prestige. 

Born in Port Angeles, Washington, Skinner went on to open his own event planning and consulting business in his home state of Washington.