Brut Sun Bowl Records Sellout

EL PASO, Texas (December 22, 2009) - For the first time in the 76-year history of the game, the Brut Sun Bowl has sold out prior to game day. It is the 34th sellout in Sun Bowl history, but just the third since Sun Bowl Stadium expanded in 1983.

"I think it says a lot for the matchup, as well as the Stanford and Oklahoma fans who are making the trip to El Paso," said Bernie Olivas, executive director of the Sun Bowl Association. "A lot of factors have led to this sellout. We would not be in this position without the two schools and our local fan base. El Paso is ready for a good game."

The Sun Bowl recorded 22 sellouts at Kidd Field from 1938 to 1962. In 1963, the game was moved to Sun Bowl Stadium. The game sold out nine times from 1963 to 1982.

In the first year of the Sun Bowl Association's new sponsorship agreement with Helen of Troy, a record 51,288 fans watched the 2004 Vitalis Sun Bowl between Arizona State and Purdue. One year later, a capacity crowd of 50,426 fans witnessed the 2005 Vitalis Sun Bowl which saw the highest scoring game ever as UCLA outran Northwestern, 50-38.

Helen of Troy changed the brand of the game from Vitalis to Brut beginning with the 2006 edition of the game. Including this year's sellout, during Helen of Troy's six-year tenure as title sponsor, the Sun Bowl has been at 99 percent capacity and recorded three sellouts. It is the best six-year period in Sun Bowl history in terms of attendance.

The game will be broadcast live nationally in high definition on CBS for the 42nd consecutive year.