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 Laura Hardy, who serves as the 2025-26 Fiesta Sports Foundation Ambassadors Chair.

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First, tell us who the Ambassadors are within the Fiesta Sports Foundation?

Our Ambassadors support the Fiesta Sports Foundation Yellow Jacket Committee, Board of Directors and staff, providing first-class hospitality to administration, players and guests from Rate Bowl and Vrbo Fiesta Bowl teams and at our year-round events.

We also assist the Foundation’s many community engagement activities, whether it’s serving in the community for Kindness Arizona, participating in check presentations for nonprofit organizations, volunteering to help charities serve their beneficiaries and so much more.

What types of year-round events?

How much time do you have? I joke!

Beyond the games themselves and everything that goes into them, we support a variety of year-round community events, including the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade, the PNC Bank Fiesta Sports Foundation Par 3 Challenge, and the UMB Bank Fiesta Sports Foundation Football Kickoff. We also assist with community outreach, football field dedications, playground builds, and the Wishes for Teachers program.

At any given time, there are 50 active Ambassadors as well as hundreds of emeritus members. We are a strong group of individuals made even stronger by working together to improve communities across Arizona.

When and how did you begin volunteering with the Fiesta Sports Foundation?

My dad was in the printing business, which led us to live all over the country. As college approached, we lived in Pennsylvania, and the only two colleges I could afford were Penn State and Arizona State University. ASU won! I studied graphic communications and went into the printing and graphic industry like my father, which had me similarly traveling as he did. I eventually transitioned to the advertising side of the business, where I thrived for 35 years. As my kids got older, I started thinking about my time in Arizona, and how I always wanted to move back. Then my youngest decided on Arizona for college – albeit the University of Arizona versus my Sun Devils – it was the perfect timing to make the Valley my home again. I also transitioned from full-time work to semi-retirement and consulting at that time, which allowed me the chance to volunteer more often.

Here is where it comes full circle.

One of my college roommates from ASU – Wendy Manning – was an Ambassador at the time. She recruited me and it was such a gift. I was especially impressed at the time, and still am, at the depth and breadth of ways we are able to give back.

What is one way the Fiesta Sports Foundation gives back folks may not know?

Our community engagement team is always looking for ways we can provide boots-on-the-ground volunteer support to local nonprofits. We make sure to take part in something every single month in addition to all of the big programs we support. This could be making dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, or fundraising for and assisting with OCJ Kids, which helps children aging out of foster care.

Our theme this year is Hospitality in Action. To us, this means putting the spirit of hospitality into daily practice — turning the idea of being welcoming, caring, and service-oriented into tangible behaviors.

Any favorite Fiesta Bowl games as a spectator or volunteer?

While I am a fan of Ohio State and – as a spectator – always love seeing them in the game, I will never forget the in December 2024 when Liberty played in the Fiesta Bowl. They played against Oregon, who won by a score of 45-6. But that score is not why I loved the game so much. I have to say that the players, families, and ticket holders from Liberty were the most polite, excited, honored group of wonderful people with whom I have ever had the pleasure of assisting. So well organized as well, and grateful beyond measure.

Finally, the Fiesta Sports Foundation’s slogan is “Our Season Never Ends.” While you already shared some of the organization’s impact, what is one more way in which the Foundation is helping the community outside of the Bowl games themselves?

Most folks know we have a grant program, and in recent years, we were able to provide a grant to UMOM New Day Centers. Beyond the grant, this past summer our Ambassadors had the opportunity to take part in a very special event that provided school supplies, games, toys, shoes, and more to the resident families at UMOM. It was intended for back-to-school but felt like Christmas in July. It was a joyous thing to take part in.