USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) welcomed football players, cheerleaders, band members and staff from Northwestern University and The University of Utah, Dec. 28-30, as part of the ship’s participation in the 2018 Holiday Bowl.
The Northwestern Wildcats and Utah Utes joined Theodore Roosevelt’s crew, known as the Rough Riders, for an inside look at life aboard an aircraft carrier while meeting and interacting with Sailors.
Capt. Carlos Sardiello, Theodore Roosevelt’s commanding officer, welcomed the guests by comparing their team sport of football to the team sport required aboard an aircraft carrier.
“Leadership and teamwork, that’s what you’re about and that’s what we’re about,” said Sardiello.
The teams visited the ship’s hangar bay and flight deck, where they had the opportunity to get hands on with damage control tools from a repair locker and participate in a crash and salvage demonstration. Players and Sailors competed in a football-throwing competition and the teams rode an aircraft elevator.
“It’s a great honor to be welcomed aboard the Theodore Roosevelt," said Pat Fitzgerald, head coach at Northwestern University. “You think about the combat missions and what the men and women have been a part of on this ship. We get to coach and play football, so it keeps things in a very special perspective. We’re just very thankful and honored to be here.”
The Holiday Bowl Committee gave hundreds of free game tickets to the Theodore Roosevelt and both teams donated hats and t-shirts for Sailors to wear during the game.
Master-At-Arms 2nd Class Kyle Coady from Springfield, Illinois, and Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Nicholas Soria from Sandy, Utah, were announced as honorary captains for their home-state teams and invited to the sidelines for the Holiday Bowl game held on Dec. 31 at San Diego County Credit Union stadium.
The Theodore Roosevelt Color Guard presented the ensign for the national anthem as other Theodore Roosevelt Sailors filled the stands with other service members from all over San Diego. Coady and Soria then led their teams on the field for the coin toss.
“It was a really big honor to be the team captain and represent the ship and Illinois here in San Diego,” said Coady. “The sideline view was amazing. Hearing everyone cheer and seeing all of the people, it was kind of like a twilight moment.”
Coady and Soria received custom team jerseys numbered 71 with USS Theodore Roosevelt printed on the name plate.
“Never in a million years would I think I would be on the sideline during my home town’s college bowl game with my mom. Being an honorary captain as well was the icing on the cake,” said Soria. “They went out of their way to make me feel like part of the team, in the locker room, on the sideline, and even during the game. Even after losing the game sadly, they all made it a point to come over and shake my hand and thank me for being there for them. I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
The #22 ranked Northwestern Wildcats celebrated a 30-21 victory over the # 17 ranked Utah Utes after a comeback win in the second half.