The National University Holiday Bowl’s ongoing legacy is cemented by its pageantry and community involvement.
Besides the USC and Nebraska marching bands, high school bands from across the country participated in the mass band halftime show choreographed to a massive fireworks display.
Olympic silver medalist and 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi served as the 2014 bowl game’s honorary chair and grand marshal of the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade.
Mar Vista High School junior lineman Hugh Anthony received recognition as recipient of the Dr. Pepper Most Inspirational Player Award.
The award recognizes a high school football player who, through their presence, actions and words of encouragement, serves as an inspirational example to their teammates.
Anthony, a First Team All-Metro-South Bay League varsity lineman, received $2,000 in tuition funds. MVHS head coach Tyler Arciaga said another company matched those funds, increasing the award to $4,000.
“Dirrty,” as he is affectionately known by teammates, earned the Mariners’ 2014 Most Valuable Player award while pulling double duty as a starting offensive guard and a defensive end.
Anthony admitted excitement at receiving the award during the on-field presentation, and had a photograph taken with USC mascot Tommy Trojan.
Anthony, who maintains a 3.0 grade-point average, admitted it was “above and beyond” what he expected.
Arciaga said the award was most deserving.
“Despite some of the severe hardships he faced, he was always ready to go at practice and had a positive attitude,” Arciaga explained. “When I did the write-up to nominate him, I didn’t realize when he was chosen that he was the only male athlete who was getting this award in San Diego.
“It was a great experience for him as he got to go to the pregame luncheon with both teams the day before the game. Some of the players exchanged social media accounts and phone numbers with him. One USC player in particular, senior defensive back Josh Shaw, texted with Dirrty the day of the game and told him how excited he was to have him in attendance. It really made Dirrty feel special and took pressure off some of the issues he was experiencing outside school and off the field.”
