"Yes, we'll gather at the river / The beautiful, the beautiful river"

At approximately 10:35 a.m. Central Time today, March 5, 2008, in the office of Richard Reynolds, Director of the Memorial Union at Iowa State University, Administrative Specialist Rod Simpson reached into a container filled with 15 numbered ping pong balls, and drew out number 13. An unlucky number for runners-up from 14 regions, but a lucky number for the University of New Mexico.

The University of New Mexico has been formally offered the Wild Card bid to the 2008 College Bowl National Championship tournament, and has in turn formally accepted it. As all Regional Champions have accepted their bids, the field is set at:

R1:        Providence College
R2:        University of Rochester
R3:        Seton Hall University
R4:        University of Maryland - Baltimore County
R5:        Georgetown College
R6:        Florida State University
R7:        The Ohio State University
R8:        University of Wisconsin
R9:        Ball State University
R10:        University of Minnesota
R11:        Washington University St. Louis
R12:        Rice University
R13:        Arizona State University
R14:        Western Oregon University
R15:        Pomona College
WC:        University of New Mexico

Congratulations again to our Regional Champions and the Wild Card! I look forward to seeing you in St. Paul. My condolences to the runners-up who were not selected, and my best wishes for success in your other academic competition endeavors.

Tom