My Life & Times with Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl

Jenna Laine here – Happy New Year!  As this is my final blog post, I wanted to take this time to reflect on all the blessing bestowed on me for 2010, particularly this experience.  I didn’t find out about the Bowl Talent Tryouts contest until two nights before the video entry deadline.  My boss actually forwarded an email to me with the contest link and said, “Hey – you’ve probably already seen this, but thought you might be interested.”  So, I got a hold of my brother-in-law Josh’s camera and, after a night of watching the Tampa Bay Rays with my folks, I had them videotape me on the couch.  I thought to myself  at the time, ‘Jenna; the couch – really???’  But I submitted my entry and thought ‘Ah, what the heck.  You never know until you try.’

I am so glad I did and am UNBELIEVABLY grateful for this opportunity.  Working with the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl was everything I could have imaged and MORE!  Over the past few years, I had ventured into print journalism and PR.  But I never lost sight of where I really wanted to be – in front of the camera.  There is something so very special about being able to connect with an audience on camera.  You get to tell a story through movement; you get to capture people’s emotions; you get to live an experience through their eyes and, for even just a moment, THEY get to be the star.  I love how that makes people feel.  I love being a part of it, especially when combined with my absolute passion – football!

I can’t thank enough Mr. Brett Dulaney, Executive Director of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl, and the entire Bowl Board for this extraordinary opportunity.  It was an honor to represent the city of St. Petersburg (my hometown) and the community which I hold so dear to my heart.  Thank you for believing in me and for rewarding my efforts and the efforts of my fellow contestants.  I appreciate your special gesture of providing the top Talent Tryout finalists tickets to the Bowl game so they could experience it firsthand.

It was an honor covering both the University of Louisville and the University of Southern Mississippi – two schools I have come to respect and admire over the years after countless games against my college alma mater.  Thank you to the schools for their cooperation throughout.

I would also like to thank the gang at CEA Marketing Group – Jennifer Maxfield especially – for putting the Bowl Talent Tryouts contest together, and for all the work they do in promoting the Bowl year-round.  I would also like to thank ESPN for their involvement with the Bowl, the contest, for working with the Bowl Week Video Crew and, most importantly, for putting an inspiring product on-air that continually gives me and other young journalists out there something to shoot for.

To Lone Star Distribution, official sponsor of the Bowl Talent Tryouts.  I was overjoyed when I got a HUGE box of protein bars, protein cookies, and energy drinks delivered to my hotel room!

Avitae & Liquid Nitro helped give my team the energy we needed  throughout the Bowl game events.  As a very nutritionally-conscious person, workout fiend, and someone who happens to suffer from food allergies, working an event like this non-stop can be stressful.  There’s no time to stop and grab something to eat; let along check labels!  It took a LOT of stress off my shoulders, and the crew’s shoulders, having these goodies handy to keep us energized – especially on a long day like game day.  Thank you, Lone Star Distribution for helping me ‘muscle’ my way through the event!

Another thanks goes to Hotel Indigo for being the absolute coolest place to stay..EVER!  A very friendly staff with the neatest mix of old-meets-new decorating.  Lime green walls and pink furniture never looked so good!

To the Bowl Week Video Crew – David Crump, Frank Sarcinello, Laura Knauss, Kelly Jo Reilly and Mark Purvis – you guys are amazing!  It was an absolute pleasure working with you all!  Thank you for your support, encouragement and, most of all, your efforts.  There is no greater feeling than being a part of an amazing team and accomplishing something big!

A BIG thanks to the folks who got me here – my family, friends and friends-of-friends – and who voted for me in this contest to help me get into the top 5.  Your support means the world to me.  I am still overwhelmed by how many people  took the time to support me in this endeavor.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

And finally, to those reading this blog – thanks for following me throughout my entire Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl experience.  Stay tuned for Bowl Week Videos, which should be posted soon.  I can’t wait to see how they turned out!

Well folks – that’s it for me.  I’ve counted all of my blessings for 2010 and I look forward to what this New Year will bring – including a new Bowl Talent Tryouts winner and a whole new match-up of college teams!  I can’t wait.  As for the 2010 Bowl Talent Tryouts winner – if you still want to keep up with me and all my whereabouts, I’m not too difficult to find.  Promise!  Thanks again and all the best!

- Jenna Laine

Related posts:

1. Bowl Events You Don’t Want To Miss!
2. The Bowl After-Effects
3. Meet the Winner of the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Talent Tryouts!
4. Lots of Dancing and Cheering!
5. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Recap of Fun!

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