Staff Reports | Happenings & Events
Former Oklahoma State University head football coach Mike Gundy and former University of Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick will serve as keynote speakers at the 2026 UMB Bank Fiesta Sports Foundation Football Kickoff presented by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
The annual college football kickoff event returns to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess on Friday, Aug. 21, featuring appearances and programming related to the start of the 2026-27 season, according to a press release.
The event begins with a VIP session at 11 a.m., including photo opportunities and meet-and-greets with Gundy and Swarbrick. General pre-event networking opens at 11:30 a.m., followed by the main program when ballroom doors open at 12:15 p.m. A post-event Yellow Jacket Overtime gathering is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Tables and sponsorship opportunities are available through the Fiesta Sports Foundation, with packages ranging from general seating to VIP options that include event access and additional amenities.
“Mike Gundy and Jack Swarbrick represent two of the most influential figures in college football over the last 20 years and together they will share their unique perspectives, experiences and predictions on the state of college athletics in a way that few can,” Erik Moses, Fiesta Sports Foundation executive director and CEO, said.
“From Coach Gundy’s legendary tenure at Oklahoma State, where we know him well from his numerous trips to the Fiesta Bowl and Rate Bowl, to Jack Swarbrick’s transformative leadership at Notre Dame – including his central role in shaping the expanded College Football Playoff – we are excited to have them pull the curtain back for our guests to better understand the current challenges, opportunities and outlook for college football. This will be a great way to kick off another start of the best time of the year – college football season!”
Coach Gundy served as head coach at Oklahoma State from 2005 to 2025, compiling a 170-90 record and leading the program to 18 bowl appearances. His tenure included two appearances in the Fiesta Bowl and three in the Rate Bowl.
In the 2022 Fiesta Bowl, Oklahoma State rallied from a 28-7 deficit to defeat Notre Dame 37-35. The Cowboys also secured an overtime victory against Stanford in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl. The program won two of its three appearances in the Rate Bowl.
“I’m honored to be a part of the UMB Bank Fiesta Sports Foundation Football Kickoff this summer,” Coach Gundy said. “The Fiesta Sports Foundation has done an incredible job building one of the premier bowl organizations in the country, and the Yellow Jackets have always treated our program and our fans with first-class hospitality. I’m looking forward to a great conversation, reconnecting with fans from across the Valley and helping celebrate the excitement of college football.”
Mr. Swarbrick served as athletic director at Notre Dame from 2008 to 2024, overseeing multiple postseason appearances, including a trip to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2025 and the BCS title game in 2012. Notre Dame also appeared in the Fiesta Bowl in 2022 during his tenure.
He also was involved in the development of the College Football Playoff, contributing to the original four-team structure and later expansion to a 12-team format.
“Fiesta Sports Foundation represents everything that is right about college football — support for community, operational excellence and a genuine commitment to the student-athlete experience,” Mr. Swarbrick said. “I have had the privilege of working alongside this organization in various capacities over the years, and I have seen firsthand the extraordinary impact it has on the state of Arizona and nationally. It’s my pleasure to help benefit the community while sharing insider perspectives on where college football has been, where it’s going and what makes the sport so special to so many people.”
