All eyes will be on the Valley on January 8, 2026, when the Fiesta Sports Foundation hosts the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. This year, the game will serve as a College Football Playoff Semifinal at State Farm Stadium. In the weeks leading up to the big game, we are sitting down each week with one of the organization’s famed Yellow Jackets — the group of community leaders who volunteer to support the Fiesta Sports Foundation through fundraising and event assistance — to ask five burning questions.
This week, we welcome Andy Shultz, who has been a Yellow Jacket since 2010 and is serving as chair of the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe this year.
What does the Parade do?
The parade brings Arizonans together. Families and friends gather along the parade route to wave and cheer on the parade units. We have bands, floats, and performance artists that exemplify the spirit and talents of Arizona.
If your Yellow Jacket had a superpower, what would it be and how would you use it on game day?
My Yellow Jacket would have a built-in Transporter, like the one they had in the original Star Trek. Game day is an exciting time with pregame parties, ceremonies, and most importantly, kickoff. It is hard to be in two places at the same time, and the Transporter would make sure I do not miss any of the action.
If the Yellow Jackets had a theme song, what would it be and why?
I would say “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge. We are a close-knit organization that works together each season to provide the best experience for our community partners, guests, and the teams we host and support.
Which Fiesta Bowl tradition still gives you goosebumps every single year?
Having an opportunity to work the tunnel to cue the teams running onto the field for both our Rate Bowl and Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. You can feel the excitement from the teams and the energy from the crowd in the moments before kickoff.
Which celebrity or sports figure would totally rock the yellow jacket and why?
Saquon Barkley. He played in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, set a record with the longest touchdown run from scrimmage (92 yards), and is one of the most philanthropic athletes in sports. He exemplifies the Fiesta Sports Foundation’s slogan, “Our Season Never Ends.”
Tell us about one ultra-cool program supported by or powered through the Fiesta Sports Foundation.
The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe is one of my favorite events produced by the Fiesta Sports Foundation. This annual event dates to the 1970s and celebrates Arizona by featuring balloons, community organizations, dignitaries, floats, and marching bands. Tens of thousands of fans line the parade route in Central Phoenix to be entertained and take in the pageantry of the event.
