Event was designed to resemble homecoming by adding “King and Queen of Turkey Bowl” crowning to fun halftime activities, along with canned veggie drive to help fill Valdar’s Market

It was a competitive match-up, but in the end, Valdar’s Warriors held on to its lead over the Helm Holders to take the Turkey Bowl trophy home for the second year in row. The final score was 35 (Valdar’s Warriors)-21 (Helm Holders).

Viking spirit ran high during Del Mar College’s annual Turkey Bowl, which was held Oct. 23 on the Kinesiology Track field on Heritage Campus.

The highly anticipated rematch pit the Helm Holders against reigning champs Valdar's Warriors in a friendly but fiercely contested battle on the flag football field for Turkey Bowl supremacy.

Coaches Dr. Kristy Urbick, Department Chair of Kinesiology and Education, and fellow faculty member and Assistant Professor of Education Dr. George Woods led the Helm Holders while Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Retention Omar Villarreal and Gillian Benedetti, Director of Student Success Coaching, guided Valdar's Warriors on the field.

A spirited 12-member cheer squad kept the crowd energized from kickoff through the final whistle with guidance from Cheryl Sanders, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, and Corporate Services team member Dezorae Orta.

Fans enjoyed all the pageantry of a championship game day. Music major Alyssa Presas performed the national anthem before kickoff, and Dr. Gerald Napoles, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, took part in the ceremonial coin toss and presented trophies and championship rings to the winners after the game.

Adding to the stadium atmosphere, Dr. Carlos Garanzuay, Assistant Professor of Speech, served as the event's announcer and play-by-play caller, bringing every big play, momentum swing and scoring drive to life for spectators. 

On the field, Paul Creacy, Department Chair of Air Conditioning, Aviation and Automotive, and Program Coordinator/Instructor of Building Trades, and Purchasing team member La Vockea Wallace officiated the game while Del Mar College EMT students stood ready to provide first aid support for players and fans. Blue Bear, the mascot for Turkey Bowl sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, was also on hand to help build excitement throughout the event.

The excitement didn’t stop between downs. Student organizations operated concession stands throughout the event as fundraisers to support club activities and student engagement efforts. Participating groups included the Cyber Security Club, Education Society, OTA/Hot Shots and the DMC Math Club.

During the halftime break, a new tradition was launched with the crowning of a Turkey Bowl King and Queen. Dr. George Woods was crowned King and Cynthia Arbuckle, Giving Campaigns Manager in the DMC Foundation, was crowned Queen.  

This year's Turkey Bowl also introduced the Veggie Bowl, a canned vegetable food drive benefiting Valdar's Market, giving attendees an opportunity to support fellow students while enjoying the day’s festivities. Fans will also had a chance to cool off with complimentary Kono Ice.

The event was the result of a campuswide collaboration involving College Relations, Facilities, Risk Management, Campus Safety and Security, DMC Information Technology, Intramural Sports, Student Engagement and Retention and the Viking Social Committee, said Rita Hernandez, Dean of Student Engagement and Retention. The collective effort reflects the same teamwork and determination that participants will display on the field. 

“Whether they're cheering from the sidelines, volunteering behind the scenes or battling for victory on the gridiron, Vikings can expect an afternoon packed with spirited competition, memorable moments and plenty of Turkey Bowl tradition,” Hernandez added.

While it hasn’t always been played, the Turkey Bowl’s origins extend back 18 years. The first iteration was a flag football game organized between the English and Math Departments and held annually from 2008 through 2010. 

In 2012, the tradition returned as the Viking Bowl, with East Campus taking on West Campus in an annual match up through 2015. The College brought the game back in 2025 as the Turkey Bowl, led by the Department of Student Engagement and Retention Services and other campus leaders. Valdar’s Warriors won last year’s game against the Helm Holders, 28-14. Valdar's Warriors player and IT Helpdesk Coordinator Gabe Perez was named Most Valuable Player. 

To relive Turkey Bowl 2025, visit the following archive page in Viking News to see photos and a video clip.

What began as a friendly game of flag football between the Del Mar College (DMC) English and Math Departments in 2008 soon became the annual Viking Bowl until 2015––the last time the event was held. The game returned for a new era on Oct. 24 and with a new name … the “Turkey Bowl.”

But this gridiron battle for bragging rights and claiming the customized Turkey Bowl trophy was more than just a game. It was a 90th Anniversary celebration with a Birthday Tailgate Party and fun activities for both the campus and general community to enjoy while watching DMC employees from all three campuses inaugurate the new Astroturf field that the Kinesiology and Education Department will use for intramural sports and future Turkey Bowl games.

The event began with the tailgate party, along with fundraising and other activities, at the running track next to the Kinesiology Complex and Gymnasium on the Heritage Campus. 

DMC students kicked things off with a Victory Lap around the running track surrounding the playing field to celebrate mid-term success. Additionally, before game play started, the National Anthem and Del Mar College’s Alma Mater (spirit song) were sung prior to the coin toss to determine which team held the ball first.

Besides the game, half-time was just as entertaining.

Students took part in various competitions, including Tug-of-War  with the winning team including Fabian Gonzales, Lawson Jones, Lauren Laurel, Troy Salinas and Victoria Vela. Winners of the Football Passing Contest were First Place winner Aaron Deleon, Second Place winner Kayla Alexander and Alexus Broome taking Third Place.

Spectators were also treated to performances by the Collegiate High School Dance Team and a DMC cheerleading squad made up of employees.

For the pigskin competition between Valdar’s Warriors and the Helm Holders, Dr. Carlos Garanzuay, DMC Assistant Professor of Speech, provided play-by-play calls during the game.  

Each team featured a mix of faculty and staff from the Heritage, Windward and Oso Creek Campuses to ensure a competitive but fair contest. Coaches received a list of player registrants and conducted a “draft” to select players for each team. La Vockea Wallace, Spirit Coach with the college’s Student Leadership and Campus Life Office, oversaw the selection of referees who officiated the game.

More than 120 participants served in various roles, including coaches, team players, referees, water crew, cheerleaders, spirit team, sideline coordinators and Viking volunteers. Omar Villarreal, Director of the Students Success Center and Testing; Eric Moller, Professor of Mathematics; and Lisa Olmos,  Counselor in the Counseling Center, served as coaches for Valdar’s Warriors while the Helm Holders were coached by Dr. Kristy Urbick, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, and Welding Instructor Ryan Gutierrezor.  

Organizer and Dean of Student Engagement and Retention Rita Hernandez says that various student organizations sold food and other items in the concessions area, and the DMC Foundation was on-hand to provide spirit while sharing information about how to support students and their education.

When the dust settled, Valdar’s Warriors proved victorious over the Helm Holders with a final score of 28-14. Albert Hernandez was the MVP for the Warriors while Sydney Saumby was the MVP for the Holders.

The college’s bowl game has an extensive history. The first iteration was a flag football game organized between the English and Math Departments and held annually from 2008 through 2010. Two years later, the Viking Bowl was launched as an annual contest pitting then known East Campus against West Campus with the last game held in 2015.

Hernandez said the idea to revive the flag football game resurfaced during employee focus groups held as part of the college’s latest strategic plan development.

Fellow Turkey Bowl organizer Margot Sorrell, Assistant Instructor in the Stone Writing Center, said that the event was all about building camaraderie. “It’s fun to connect with colleagues and students in a relaxed setting, but this game was high-energy!”

Hernandez added that Turkey Bowl 2025 was about Viking pride, teamwork, and celebration where faculty, staff and students came together to honor 90 years of Del Mar excellence.

So … get ready for Turkey Bowl 2026! 

Enjoy highlights from the event below: