University of North Carolina Athletics
Sun Bowl Notebook: Out In The West Texas Town of El Paso
December 26, 2016 | Football
EL PASO, Texas --- North Carolina arrived at the El Paso airport Sunday evening to mariachi music and folkloric dancers as the team settled in for a week of Hyundai Sun Bowl activities. The Christmas Day reception featured dancing players and the presentation of a Carolina Blue sombrero to head coach Larry Fedora.
It was quite a start to what hopes to be a productive week for the Tar Heels, who are set to face Stanford in the 83rd Sun Bowl on Friday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. ET.
SUN BOWL NOTEBOOK:
• Carolina hit the practice field Monday for a two-hour workout at the SISD Student Activities Complex (SAC), which will be the team's home throughout the week for daily practices. The SAC is home to six high school teams in the Socorro Independent School District and features many double-header high school games during the football season.
• After practice, Fedora and quarterback Mitch Trubisky addressed the El Paso media contingent.
RIGHT NOW! @CoachFedora talks @HyundaiSunBowl and @Mtrubisky10 after practice: pic.twitter.com/uK3JWDnAFX
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) December 26, 2016
.@Mtrubisky10 talks @HyundaiSunBowl and playing with @Switz03 one last time: pic.twitter.com/6m88q7ohT7
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) December 26, 2016
• Cornerback Des Lawrence accepted an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, a postseason all-star game at the Stub Hub Center in Los Angeles. The game will be played Jan. 21, 2017.
• Players returned to team headquarters at the El Paso Marriott before heading to UTEP for a weight lifting sesson with coach Lou Hernandez. Hernandez is one of several staff members with ties to the Lone Star state. A native of Alice, Texas, he earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from the University of Houston in 1992 and his master's degree in exercise and health-related fitness in 1994. Hernandez spent 10 years as a strength coach at Houston, including five years as the director of the program.
• Players will have the opportunity to view the Hyundai Bowl Gift Suite later this evening at the Larry K. Durham Center. Check for updates on @TarHeelFootball. The entire swag package for the Sun Bowl includes the gift suite, Timely Watch Co. Silvertone Watch, Majestic Pro Base fleece pullover, Ogio Politan backpack, Under Armour cap and commemorative coin.
• A cultural experience awaits the staff this evening as they will convene for the "Mexican Fiesta at the Museum" in downtown El Paso. The museum house a permanent collection of more than 5,000 works of art.
• On Tuesday, Carolina will practice from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the SAC and then spend a day with the troops at Fort Bliss Army Base. Many of the soldiers at Fort Bliss are in training for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.
