Pigskin and Pinstripes: New York Yankees Team with Big East for Chilly Bowl Game

New York in January? Are you kiddin' me? New York in January? No one goes to New York in January! It's too damn cold," said Dennis Castellano, die-hard loyal Yankee fan and lover of everything New York.

In its never-ending quest for football recognition and credibility, the Big East Conference has donned pin stripes and aligned itself with the New York Yankees.

No, Big East fans, you will not be getting discount tickets to Yankee playoff games in October. What you will get is an invitation to visit the scenic Bronx in January.

January?

Ah yes, January, pull out that Eddie Bauer or L.L. Bean catalog and order those winter clothes now.

January, 2011 is the month and the new Yankee Stadium the place for the newest Big East postseason bowl game that will invite either the third or fourth team from the Big East next season to butt heads  with the seventh team from the Big 12.

The big hoopla was ballyhooed to the nation on Wednesday, although word of this alliance was leaked weeks ago.

It's all official now.

Curb your enthusiasm!

You think this one's gonna be a tough sell? Sure, those Midwest folks are used to some cold, cold weather. But are they used to those New York prices?

Fact is, a lot of college teams lose money playing in these lesser bowl games. That's a fact. Even the BCS games that pay out mega-millions provide surprisingly low net returns to the participants.

But this one could be a lot of fun.

Here's our suggestion to make this great:

The New York Yankees already spent mega-millions on player salaries.

Suppose the Yankees go ahead and foot the bill for the first 5,000 fans from each school? Well, the Yankees are partners in this deal, aren't they?

Now that's what being a good partner is all about. But that's not enough.

How about this:

"Spend a day in Manhattan with Derek Jeter!"

Yes, two lucky fans from each team get to spend the day in the Big Apple with the captain of the Yankees.

Hang out, spend some money, huge lunch, bigger dinner.

And....Hank Steinbrenner picks up the tab!

Now we're getting ourselves a bowl game.

Who cares if it's snowing? Who cares that it's 10 degrees outside?

This is Big East football in the Big Apple.

Sure beats the heck out of that Champs Bowl in balmy Orlando. Beats the heck out of golf, Disney, Universal and those other boring warm weather attractions.

Doesn't it?