Sam Gardner believes Kentucky and Penn State players are going to like the swag each one will get for participating in the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 1.
Gardner — director of marketing and communications for the bowl — says the bowl “stays within the rules” that the NCAA sets for the maximum value of each player’s gift at a maximum of $550. That’s in addition to the player outings at a go-cart track (I want to wager on Kash Daniel being UK’s best) or when players partner with local kids at an amusement park.
But for the swag, here’s what Gardner said each participating player will receive when they get to Orlando:
— A personalize Ogio backpack with luggage tag.
— A Fossil watch.
— A $400 Best Buy gift card “so players can load up on all the goodies they want,” Gardner said.
Wonder what some of the other bowls might be giving participants? So did I.
SoFi Hawai’i Bowl
Dec. 22, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Louisiana Tech vs. Hawaii
Honolulu (Aloha Stadium)
■ Electronics gift suite; Oakley backpack; Oakley sunglasses; Tori Richard aloha shirt; shorts/swim trunks; performance T-shirt; beach towel
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Dec. 29, noon (ESPN)
Florida vs. Michigan
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
■ $300 Vanilla Visa gift card; Fossil watch; Mophie Powerstation XL; Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker (3rd generation); football
Belk Bowl
Dec. 29, noon (ABC)
South Carolina vs. Virginia
Charlotte (Bank of America Stadium)
■ Shopping trip to Belk department store; Fossil watch
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Dec. 31, 3:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Missouri vs. Oklahoma State
Memphis (Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium)
■ Shopping trip to Memphis’ Bass Pro Shops; Bose SoundLink micro Bluetooth speaker; Bulova watch; Nike athletic shoes; sport sandals; backpack and sunglasses; football
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
NC State vs. Texas A&M
Jacksonville (TIAA Bank Field)
■ Fossil watch; Maui Jim sunglasses; Amazon Echo; ISlides; SIC tumbler; dopp kit
Outback Bowl
Jan. 1, noon (ESPN2)
Mississippi State vs. Iowa
Tampa (Raymond James Stadium)
■ Fossil watch; Jostens ring; $125 Best Buy gift card; Outback Steakhouse Gift card; hat