Washington State enjoys Sun Bowl welcome

Bret Bloomquist | El Paso Times

There aren't many visitors to El Paso more suited to put on a sombrero and sing along with mariachis as folklorico dancers perform nearby like Washington State coach Mike Leach.

"Singing, dancing, I'm the guy who does the 'Ay ay ay ay' part," Leach said of his line in the traditional Cielito Lindo song. "That's a very important part. You get through the dialog, what are you going to do, leave everyone hanging? No. I sing, 'Ay ay ay ay.' That's a very important part, maybe the most important part."

The scene plays out twice every year at the El Paso International Airport as the Hyundai Sun Bowl teams are welcomed to the Sun City. But Leach, the pirate, one of college football's unique characters, had his own spin on it Monday night.

"I had a great hat on," Leach added. "That helped."

Leach has been to El Paso many times before, but this is his first trip for the Sun Bowl game, which pits his Cougars against Miami at the Sun Bowl Stadium on Saturday.

It is Washington State's second trip here, the first one coming in 2001 under coach Mike Price. This is the Cougars' second trip to the Southwest for a bowl game in two years, as they were in the 2011 New Mexico Bowl.

Leach is a bowl veteran, but said the reception was special at the end of some travel problems that had them arriving an hour late.

"This is impressive," he said. "We got in a little disarray getting out of Spokane, but this in incredible. There are all kinds of people here. There's some people on the Sun Bowl committee I've known for years."

Sun Bowl week doubles as their Christmas, and in fact, the reception ended with the mariachi band playing "Feliz Navidad." Cougar players, many recording the event on their cell phone cameras, sang along.

"We adjust Christmas, it's worth it when you have a bowl," Leach said. "You can always adjust Christmas. For the Sun Bowl, this is worth it."

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at 546-6151; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @bretbloomquist on Twitter.

Game day

What: Hyundal Sun Bowl

When: Noon on Saturday

Who: Miami vs. Washington

Where: Sun Bowl Stadium

Ticket prices: $22-652

On TV: CBS at noon