ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard and football coach Paul Rhoads appeared in New York City at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday for a press conference to discuss the Iowa State-Rutgers matchup in the Pinstripe Bowl set for Dec. 30.

Alongside Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti and football coach Greg Schiano, members of the New York Yankees organization including President Randy Levine and members of New Era and the Pinstripe Bowl, Pollard and Rhoads spoke about the unique opportunity for the Cyclones to represent the Big 12 conference in the second Pinstripe Bowl.

“To our student-athletes who will get the opportunity to play in this great venue Dec. 30, it’s going to be an opportunity that will be priceless, a lifetime event for them,” Pollard said.

“We are thrilled to be representing Iowa State University in one of the greatest sports venues there is, in the greatest city there is and in one of the most exciting times of the year,” Rhoads said.

Pollard donned a Yankees cap as he talked about how his dream as a young boy to one day be presented with a similar cap as a member of the team and Rhoads discussed the change in scenery from Iowa to the Big Apple.

“The truth is, coming from La Guardia [Airport] over here to Yankee Stadium, I didn’t see one cornfield, and I felt a little bit out of place,” Rhoads joked.

In his opening statement, Rhoads spoke about the all-time attendance records that were set at Jack Trice Stadium this season and how he expects the ISU fanbase to travel well even with the added travel.

“We are thrilled to bring that loyal fan base to New York City, and we are thrilled to bring our football team here,” Rhoads said. “I can promise you this we will give you everything we have in this ball game on Dec. 30.”

Iowa State will arrive in New York City on Dec 25 as they plan to get a full week of practice in at nearby Hofstra University.

Events throughout the week will include the presidents, athletic directors and coaches at each school ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange on the morning of Dec. 27. Among the other events planned is a visit to Ground Zero, the site of the 9/11 attacks, and a private tour of MTV Studios.

For more information on the bowl game, you can check out the Pinstripe Bowl’s website at www.pinstripebowl.com.