NMMI Sports Press
March 30, 2022
It’s been over 40 years since a junior college bowl game has been held at Roswell’s Wool Bowl stadium, but come this December, all that will change.
Earlier this year, the National Junior College Athletic Association fast-tracked approval for the New Mexico Military Institute to host an officially-sanctioned bowl game, beginning in 2022.
“This used to be a gigantic bowl game,” said bowl committee chairman and former NMMI Bronco football head coach Joe Forchtner. “It is us going back to our roots and it will bring a lot of exposure to the community.”
Last year, there were just four NJCAA bowl games, along with a four-team national championship playoff. That number has continued to slowly decrease over the last decade.
“When I started coaching at NMMI, there was close to 10 bowl games,” said Forchtner. “I think nationally, we need the bowl game. I think it’s important for junior college football.
“It got more difficult to qualify for a bowl game, because when you broke it down to conference tie-ins, to host teams, things like that, you were now only looking at five spots. You could be ranked as one of the top 10 teams in the nation and not get a bowl bid.”
To help stem that shrinking pool of possible invites, NMMI President and Superintendent General Jerry Grizzle began working on ways to bring back the Wool Bowl.
And even though the first steps to bringing back a bowl game to Roswell began several years ago, and the initial hurdle of official NJCAA approval has been overcome, there is still a lot of work to be done.
“We are very excited about bringing the Wool Bowl back to Roswell,” stated Grizzle. “Bowl games are exciting, prestigious events. They only become that with community support. The Wool Bowl hosted the national championship game during its previous existence and we hope to raise the stature of the bowl to be able to host it again.”
“The work has really not even started,” continued Forchtner. “We are looking for community involvement. We will have a title sponsor for the bowl game, and are just now getting started on that. There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities, with exposure at both the local and national levels.”
In addition to figuring out the financial and sponsorship needs, the Wool Bowl committee has been working on ways to make the event stand out and be a truly memorable experience for everyone involved.
“We are still in the creation stage right now, but one of the items we’ve discussed was a military fly-over during the game,” said Forchtner.
Another planned component to the bowl game will be giving back to the community.
“We are looking for community service ideas,” explained Forchtner. “Both teams are going to a community service project while they are here. I think that is important. We did that when NMMI went to the El Toro Bowl in 2013, and I just thought it was an excellent idea.”
According to Forchtner, if bowl-eligible, the NMMI Bronco football team would be one of the committee’s preferred selections for the 2022 Wool Bowl.
“We will play in it if we qualify, but there is no tie-in to any conference – we would be looking for the best available team,” he said.
Added Grizzle: “Of course we want the Broncos to be playing in it, but even if we are not, hosting such a prestigious event in Roswell is beneficial to NMMI and the community.”
Fans would get a chance to see high-caliber local talent if NMMI qualified for the bowl game. The Broncos have always strived to keep it local.
“We always want the best players in the state to come and play for NMMI,” said Forchtner. “We want our school to be their first choice. Traditionally we’ve had between 20 and 40 New Mexico kids on our roster each year.”
And historically, the N.M. kids are not just filling roster spots – they play, they contribute.
Some great recent examples include quarterback Diego Pavia (Volcano Vista), defensive back Dalton Bowles (Goddard), defensive linemen Christian Carreathers (Albuquerque High), Chris Valdez (Manzano), linebackers Josh Beaird (Lovington) and Jacob Gellhausen (Volcano Vista).
“The Bronco football program wouldn’t be close to the level it is without New Mexico kids,” finished Forchtner.
NMMI Athletic Director Jose Barron added: “This is an exciting opportunity for NMMI athletics, NMMI football, and the city of Roswell. I look forward to seeing this game emerge as the premiere bowl game in NJCAA football.”
Coach Forchtner has been designated the Bowl Game Director. As we continue the planning, we will be asking for community support. If you have an interest in being part of this community effort, please contact Coach Forchtner.
From: https://www.nmmiathletics.com/information/Welcome_back-_Wool_Bowl-
March 30, 2022
It’s been over 40 years since a junior college bowl game has been held at Roswell’s Wool Bowl stadium, but come this December, all that will change.
Earlier this year, the National Junior College Athletic Association fast-tracked approval for the New Mexico Military Institute to host an officially-sanctioned bowl game, beginning in 2022.
“This used to be a gigantic bowl game,” said bowl committee chairman and former NMMI Bronco football head coach Joe Forchtner. “It is us going back to our roots and it will bring a lot of exposure to the community.”
Last year, there were just four NJCAA bowl games, along with a four-team national championship playoff. That number has continued to slowly decrease over the last decade.
“When I started coaching at NMMI, there was close to 10 bowl games,” said Forchtner. “I think nationally, we need the bowl game. I think it’s important for junior college football.
“It got more difficult to qualify for a bowl game, because when you broke it down to conference tie-ins, to host teams, things like that, you were now only looking at five spots. You could be ranked as one of the top 10 teams in the nation and not get a bowl bid.”
To help stem that shrinking pool of possible invites, NMMI President and Superintendent General Jerry Grizzle began working on ways to bring back the Wool Bowl.
And even though the first steps to bringing back a bowl game to Roswell began several years ago, and the initial hurdle of official NJCAA approval has been overcome, there is still a lot of work to be done.
“We are very excited about bringing the Wool Bowl back to Roswell,” stated Grizzle. “Bowl games are exciting, prestigious events. They only become that with community support. The Wool Bowl hosted the national championship game during its previous existence and we hope to raise the stature of the bowl to be able to host it again.”
“The work has really not even started,” continued Forchtner. “We are looking for community involvement. We will have a title sponsor for the bowl game, and are just now getting started on that. There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities, with exposure at both the local and national levels.”
In addition to figuring out the financial and sponsorship needs, the Wool Bowl committee has been working on ways to make the event stand out and be a truly memorable experience for everyone involved.
“We are still in the creation stage right now, but one of the items we’ve discussed was a military fly-over during the game,” said Forchtner.
Another planned component to the bowl game will be giving back to the community.
“We are looking for community service ideas,” explained Forchtner. “Both teams are going to a community service project while they are here. I think that is important. We did that when NMMI went to the El Toro Bowl in 2013, and I just thought it was an excellent idea.”
According to Forchtner, if bowl-eligible, the NMMI Bronco football team would be one of the committee’s preferred selections for the 2022 Wool Bowl.
“We will play in it if we qualify, but there is no tie-in to any conference – we would be looking for the best available team,” he said.
Added Grizzle: “Of course we want the Broncos to be playing in it, but even if we are not, hosting such a prestigious event in Roswell is beneficial to NMMI and the community.”
Fans would get a chance to see high-caliber local talent if NMMI qualified for the bowl game. The Broncos have always strived to keep it local.
“We always want the best players in the state to come and play for NMMI,” said Forchtner. “We want our school to be their first choice. Traditionally we’ve had between 20 and 40 New Mexico kids on our roster each year.”
And historically, the N.M. kids are not just filling roster spots – they play, they contribute.
Some great recent examples include quarterback Diego Pavia (Volcano Vista), defensive back Dalton Bowles (Goddard), defensive linemen Christian Carreathers (Albuquerque High), Chris Valdez (Manzano), linebackers Josh Beaird (Lovington) and Jacob Gellhausen (Volcano Vista).
“The Bronco football program wouldn’t be close to the level it is without New Mexico kids,” finished Forchtner.
NMMI Athletic Director Jose Barron added: “This is an exciting opportunity for NMMI athletics, NMMI football, and the city of Roswell. I look forward to seeing this game emerge as the premiere bowl game in NJCAA football.”
Coach Forchtner has been designated the Bowl Game Director. As we continue the planning, we will be asking for community support. If you have an interest in being part of this community effort, please contact Coach Forchtner.
From: https://www.nmmiathletics.com/information/Welcome_back-_Wool_Bowl-
