Alumni Association, Sun Devil Club celebrates ASU’s greatest football triumph at 2016 Legends Luncheon event
Sept. --, 2016/Tempe, Ariz. – Those who were students, alumni or fans of Arizona State University football during the team’s 1986 season remember the Sun Devils race toward the Rose Bowl that year – and its 22-15 victory against Michigan – as if it were yesterday. Jeff van Raaphorst ’87 B.S., ’97 M.B.A., quarterback for the Rose Bowl championship team, says it was an event that clearly impacted the entire university, not just the team.
“We worked for that victory for years,” he said in a recent interview. “Everyone won when we won the Rose Bowl. Everyone was invested emotionally in the team.”
That’s why the ASU Alumni Association has asked its fans to share their 1987 Rose Bowl stories, photos and videos for an opportunity to win two tickets to the event as well as some coveted ASU themed merchandise. Entries must be submitted by Sept. 29 at https://alumni.asu.edu/node/4385.
Three decades later, the ASU Alumni Association and the Sun Devil Club will use its Legends Luncheon event onFriday, Oct. 21 to rekindle the memories of the 1987 Rose Bowl championship team. Van Raaphorst, who now provides color commentary on the radio at ASU home games, will share his experiences leading this legendary team, and will be joined by head coach John Cooper and players such as Aaron Cox , Darryl Harris, Stacy Harvey, Bruce Hill, Skip McClendon and Randall McDaniel.
The event is part of the Alumni Association’s annual Legends Luncheon series, which is held on the day before Homecoming each year and highlights various aspects of ASU’s football history. Alissa Pierson, vice president of programs and constituent relations for the association, said the event’s focus on the football team’s past formed an important counterpoint to the present and future of the team that is on display during the Homecoming game.
“Legends Luncheon pays tribute to the men who built Sun Devil football,” said Pierson. “Having it on the day before Homecoming underscores that our current team stands on the shoulders of all the great teams who came before them.”
Fans can have their photo taken with Sparky prior to the luncheon, or interact with members of the 1987 Rose Bowl team after the program. Pierson explained that former ASU players and coaches enjoyed reminiscing with fans at Legends Luncheon, as well as at an autograph tent the Alumni Association hosts at the Homecoming block party prior to the game on Saturday.
“The players really like meeting the fans and sharing memories,” she said. “They appreciate being remembered for the hard work they put into their years with the program.”
The Legends Luncheon is one of several events in which the ASU Alumni Association will host or participate during Homecoming Week, including the Lantern Walk up “A” Mountain, the Homecoming parade and block party, and presentation of its Homecoming Awards to distinguished alumni and university supporters. Van Raaphorst, who will be grand marshal of the parade, said he’d enjoyed the process of tracking down his teammates for Legends Luncheon and inviting them to come back for the weekend.
“It’s been fun trying to find my old friends,” he said. “Legends Luncheon is going to be a perfect celebration of some great memories, and hopefully we’ll also be able to give something back to this year’s team, as well.”
Legends Luncheon Vital Statistics
When:11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 21
Where: Arizona Grand Resort - Sonoran Sky Ballroom, 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix.
Tickets: $60/individual, $600/table of 10.
Learn more: https://alumni.asu.edu/homecoming
Sept. --, 2016/Tempe, Ariz. – Those who were students, alumni or fans of Arizona State University football during the team’s 1986 season remember the Sun Devils race toward the Rose Bowl that year – and its 22-15 victory against Michigan – as if it were yesterday. Jeff van Raaphorst ’87 B.S., ’97 M.B.A., quarterback for the Rose Bowl championship team, says it was an event that clearly impacted the entire university, not just the team.
“We worked for that victory for years,” he said in a recent interview. “Everyone won when we won the Rose Bowl. Everyone was invested emotionally in the team.”
That’s why the ASU Alumni Association has asked its fans to share their 1987 Rose Bowl stories, photos and videos for an opportunity to win two tickets to the event as well as some coveted ASU themed merchandise. Entries must be submitted by Sept. 29 at https://alumni.asu.edu/node/4385.
Three decades later, the ASU Alumni Association and the Sun Devil Club will use its Legends Luncheon event onFriday, Oct. 21 to rekindle the memories of the 1987 Rose Bowl championship team. Van Raaphorst, who now provides color commentary on the radio at ASU home games, will share his experiences leading this legendary team, and will be joined by head coach John Cooper and players such as Aaron Cox , Darryl Harris, Stacy Harvey, Bruce Hill, Skip McClendon and Randall McDaniel.
The event is part of the Alumni Association’s annual Legends Luncheon series, which is held on the day before Homecoming each year and highlights various aspects of ASU’s football history. Alissa Pierson, vice president of programs and constituent relations for the association, said the event’s focus on the football team’s past formed an important counterpoint to the present and future of the team that is on display during the Homecoming game.
“Legends Luncheon pays tribute to the men who built Sun Devil football,” said Pierson. “Having it on the day before Homecoming underscores that our current team stands on the shoulders of all the great teams who came before them.”
Fans can have their photo taken with Sparky prior to the luncheon, or interact with members of the 1987 Rose Bowl team after the program. Pierson explained that former ASU players and coaches enjoyed reminiscing with fans at Legends Luncheon, as well as at an autograph tent the Alumni Association hosts at the Homecoming block party prior to the game on Saturday.
“The players really like meeting the fans and sharing memories,” she said. “They appreciate being remembered for the hard work they put into their years with the program.”
The Legends Luncheon is one of several events in which the ASU Alumni Association will host or participate during Homecoming Week, including the Lantern Walk up “A” Mountain, the Homecoming parade and block party, and presentation of its Homecoming Awards to distinguished alumni and university supporters. Van Raaphorst, who will be grand marshal of the parade, said he’d enjoyed the process of tracking down his teammates for Legends Luncheon and inviting them to come back for the weekend.
“It’s been fun trying to find my old friends,” he said. “Legends Luncheon is going to be a perfect celebration of some great memories, and hopefully we’ll also be able to give something back to this year’s team, as well.”
Legends Luncheon Vital Statistics
When:11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 21
Where: Arizona Grand Resort - Sonoran Sky Ballroom, 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix.
Tickets: $60/individual, $600/table of 10.
Learn more: https://alumni.asu.edu/homecoming
