Bowl games & fun: A different type of football party turns the Meineke Bowl into a do-good fundraiser

Amidst the thunderous cannonball explosions, deafening cheering and boisterous energy emerging from more than 68,000 paying fans who flocked to catch the Texas A&M Aggies beat the Northwestern Wildcats in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas Saturday — the highest attendance for any pre-New Year's Day bowl game anywhere  — a much more easy-going assemblage was mixing and mingling at the bowl's first Sideline Soiree at the Director's Club at Reliant Stadium.

We had to ask. The Sideline Soiree was neither on the sideline nor an evening social. Instead, it was a relaxed brunch gathering dominated by maroon football zealots looking to partake in the college football frenzy — and cheer for the Aggies.

Chaired by Kimberly Rawson and Michael Coppens, the sold-out get-together supported the bowl's charity fundraising efforts.

And quite a brunch spread it was with comfort American fare and an endless flow of adult and kid-friendly beverages through halftime. Among the crowd was Rice alum and linebacker Brian Raines, who played in this bowl in 2008 when the Owls beat the Western Michigan Broncos.

With the help of party hats, sports paraphernalia and silly accessories, it didn't take long before guests struck a pose and captured a memento at the Cupics photo booth. 

Chaired by Kimberly Rawson and Michael Coppens, the sold-out get-together supported the bowl's fundraising efforts that benefited DePelchin Children's Center.

In the crowd were Kim Padgett, Catarina Cron, Tyson Dunn, Denise Voyles, KTRK. Ch. 13 morning news co-anchor Sharron Melton, Lila Sharifan, Kari Govin, Amy Woolf, Meredith Volk, Claudia McNeill, Cyndi and Howie Short, Marilyn Morris, Courtney Pemberton, Rebecca Bertrand, Mike Williams, Cathy Coleman, Richard Tomaski with his daughter Abigail and Heidi and Chris Tarrillion.