In the weeks leading up to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl – which will serve as the College Football Playoff Semifinal and take place at State Farm Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 – AZ Big Media is sitting down every Friday with a member of the Fiesta Sports Foundation family to shine a light on the event itself and also all the ways that the Foundation drives economic growth, delivers engaging experiences and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football Bowl Season. Today, we sit down with William Jaffe, MD, a board certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine doctor with Biltmore Cardiology, who is also a Fiesta Sports Foundation Yellow Jacket.
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Tell us about your journey to the Yellow Jackets?
As a cardiologist, I am board certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine with more than 10 years of experience and am especially interested in hypertension, heart failure and heart disease management. In addition to my practice, I am an adjunct professor at Still University and Midwestern University.
Just over three years ago, I had the chance to attend the Fiesta Bowl Spring Summit, during which time I connected with current Fiesta Sports Foundation Board Chair Judy Bernas. At the time, I did not know about the Yellow Jackets, and she was a wealth of information. She also opened my eyes to ways in which I might be able to bring my medical perspective to the committee in a way that could affect positive change for the community.
How so?
I tell this story so that anyone with a big idea and the ability to volunteer the time is encouraged to look into being part of the Fiesta Sports Foundation.
My son plays high school football. During the games, as a medical professional, I could not believe there was not an ambulance parked outside of the game, and not just for the players, but for everyone including coaches and parents who may undergo a medical emergency. I always sit there and think “if someone goes down – for whatever reason – it will not be good.”
Knowing fundraising enough for ambulances to park outside of every high school sporting event was not possible, I began to think about Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Equipment and Training. AEDs at schools could save lives. As I began my journey on the Yellow Jacket Committee, I shared the idea with CEO Erik Moses and Chief Impact Officer Kristina Chumpol, who jumped at the idea of putting a plan in motion to make the dream a reality.
By 2024, we created the AED Assistance Program presented by BHHS Legacy Foundation. In our first year,
more than 9,200 students and 700 teachers across 16 schools benefited. In the second year of the program, which took place just a few months ago, 21 total schools across Phoenix received certified AED training and equipment. As a result of the training and equipment, more than 9,400 students and 1,200 teachers were positively impacted.
For those who don’t know, what is the importance of AEDs?
According to current regulations, AEDs are only required in state buildings and dental offices and there are no legislative requirements for CPR/AED training in Arizona. You might notice I did not say that AEDs are required in schools. Kind of surprising, right? Given that the average Emergency Medical Services response time in Arizona is nine minutes and survival rates increase by 70% when a defibrillator is used within the first three minutes of collapse, the need for AEDs in schools is critical, where there are literally thousands of people in one location. At schools that have staff/teachers who have been properly trained to use an AED, the survival rate for children experiencing sudden cardiac arrest jumps to more than 85%. Sudden cardiac arrest strikes 7,000 children and teens annually and is the cause of 13% of young athlete deaths.
In addition to this work, what role will you have at the Fiesta Bowl this year?
After serving on the media operations committee prior, I am jumping into a role on the hospitality committee this year.
What has been your favorite Fiesta Bowl game to date as a spectator and why?
I am originally from Philadelphia and an alumnus of Penn State, so last year’s game when Penn State won the first-ever College Football Playoff Quarterfinal is pretty high up there.
It was exhilarating to be there in person as Penn State beat Boise State 31-14 in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on December 31, 2024. The victory advanced Penn State to the CFP Semifinal, behind Drew Allar, who threw three touchdown passes, and Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who combined for over 200 rushing yards.
Beyond the win, I was able to take my daughter with me. She is 11 and it was her first game. I love that her first game featured my alma mater, where I am fortunate to serve our community and in such a great environment.
The Fiesta Sports Foundation’s slogan is “Our Season Never Ends.” Beyond the AED program, how else is the Foundation helping the community outside of the Bowl games themselves?
Earlier this month, the Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers program – Arizona’s largest direct support initiative for teachers – returned for its 10th year with an record amount of $1.5 million in funding to directly benefit classrooms across the state. This year’s increased program funding supported 540 Arizona teachers, each receiving a $2,500 grant to bring their classroom wishes to life. It’s incredible. Past program wishes have included robotics kits, musical instruments, adaptive learning tools, classroom libraries, athletic gear, and a variety of other resources to enhance the learning experience for students.
Since launching in 2016, and including this year’s record support, Wishes for Teachers has awarded more nearly $10 million to more than 3,000 educators statewide, positively impacting more than one million students.
This educational support is a cornerstone of the Fiesta Sports Foundation’s mission to deliver charitable resources that benefit Arizona communities through youth, sports, and education. The program was created in response to the Foundation recognizing that many teachers often use money out of their pockets to improve their classrooms and help enrich learning for students.
All grant recipients become part of the Fiesta Sports Foundation family and are invited to participate in our Fiesta Bowl Parade, Rate Bowl and other community events throughout the year as well.
