ARLINGTON, July 1, 2020 – The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association announced today that Charlie Fiss, a stalwart on the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic staff for more than three decades, is transitioning to a newly created position of Historian. The longtime Vice President of Communications will assume the role effective Aug. 3.
Fiss’ relationship with the Cotton Bowl began in 1985 and has weaved a legendary tapestry that saw him guide the communications efforts of 36 Classics and play a vital role in the game’s evolution as a top New Year’s Six bowl destination.
“Charlie has created a legacy that will positively affect our organization for generations to come,” Rick Baker, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association President/CEO said. “He is beloved by so many, and we’ve been lucky to have him leading our media operations ever since Doug Flutie played in our game. Charlie has put us in a great position for the future, and we’re thrilled he’s staying on in his new role of Historian. No one knows more about our history than Charlie.”
Fiss has orchestrated the Classic’s media operations into one of the best in the bowl business. Year after year, Fiss has received high praise from media covering the Classic for his attention to detail and attentiveness to their needs.
Fiss has been honored for his work in the communications profession. He was bestowed with the Bert McGrane Award in 2017, symbolic of distinguished service to the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). He also was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame in 2017. Later this year, he will be inducted into the Springdale Athletics Hall of Fame for his meritorious service as an announcer and broadcaster for his junior high and high school alma maters in his hometown of Springdale, Ark.
Fiss’ passion for sports has grown from his time in Springdale. He attended the University of Arkansas, where he began his time in the athletics department first as an undergraduate working as a student assistant for the Razorbacks in the Men’s Sports Information Office from 1976-80 and as Women’s Director of Media Relations from 1980-84. Fiss came to the Lone Star State in 1984 as Assistant Director of Media Relations for the Southwest Conference and served in that role for nine years before joining the CBAA staff on a full-time basis in 1993.
An avid horseracing fan, Fiss has volunteered in the Churchill Downs’ communications office for the Kentucky Derby since 1988. He also has been a staple on the media operations staff for the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship since the tournament began in 1997.
“I attended my first Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year’s Day 1966 at the age of 13,” said Fiss. “Little did I know that my life would become so entwined with one of the greatest events in all of sports. In my time at the Cotton Bowl, I have met and worked with so many of my childhood heroes.
“It’s been a dream and a privilege to work for this bowl game for so many years,” said Fiss. “How the number grew to 36 is hard to fathom. I have so many wonderful people to thank. Now, I have been given an opportunity to move into another phase of my Cotton Bowl career as Historian. This game has a compelling story to tell, and I’m so lucky to get a chance to help tell that story.”
In his role as Historian, Fiss will work on various projects to continue to curate and share his Cotton Bowl knowledge through various content pieces and publications as well as continue to assist with the media operations efforts during bowl week. He also will continue to assist with the organization of the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, which was created under his watch.
The Cotton Bowl has completed its search for a successor to Charlie to lead the Classic’s media operations efforts and will make the announcement tomorrow.
