New Orleans Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Photo Gallery
NEW ORLEANS, La (February 2, 2011) - It has been nearly a month since UW-Stout's
Patrick Mengelkoch (Sr, Champlin, Minn) appeared at halftime of the Sugar Bowl at the Lousiana Superdome.
Mengelkoch, who was a part of the 22-member 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, was recognized at halftime of the Ohio State/Arkansas bowl game for the community service he has contributed over the years to the UW-Stout and Menomonie communities.
Mengelkoch has had a few weeks to reflect on his time in New Orleans. The first day, the community service-minded young men were put to work on a community service project in the Lower Ninth Ward, along with Allstate employs and local residents involved with the Lower Ninth organization.
"We worked all day clearing abandoned property, building a community greenhouse/garden and making homemade street signs for one of the most devastated areas in New Orleans," Mengelkoch said. "Many of the houses hadn't been touched since Hurricane Katrina hit."
During the day, Mengelkoch said he rubbed elbows and worked along side country music star Darius Rucker, formerly of Hootie and the Blowfish, and actor Dennis Haysbert, who appears in many of the Allstate television commercials.
The following day, Mengelkoch, along with his father, Steve, visited sites around New Orleans and attended the Allstate Fan Fest, where the Good Works Team was introduced during the Darius Rucker concert.
On game day, the team attended a VIP dinner at the Superdome before the Sugar Bowl, then were escorted to their 50-yard line press box seats to watch Ohio State take a 28-10 halftime lead over Arkansas.
The Good Works Team was introduced at halftime before the 73,879 fans in attendance and the nationally televised audience.
"At halftime, they brought us down to the middle of the field to be introduced ," Mengelkoch said. "On our way back, we were standing near the Ohio State players while (head coach) Jim Tressel gave (his team) a halftime speech. This was probably my favorite part of the whole trip to hear a great mind speak the way he did."
What Tressel said must not have clicked with his players that evening. Arkansas came charging back before the Buckeyes held them off for a 31-26 win.
Mengelkoch had the opportunity to hear from another football legend during the second half of the game.
"After halftime, we were surprised with Lou Holtz coming into our press box to give us a few minutes of his time," Mengelkoch said. "It was awesome because he had a couple great stories and also seemed to know each one of us, on what seemed like a personal level."
The team members were able to talk with Holtz for those few minutes, took video and had their pictures made with Holtz. (A video of Holtz's talk appears below.)
"The whole trip was amazing and we really got the VIP treatment everywhere we went," Mengelkoch said.
