ARLINGTON, Texas – Rick Baker, who has led the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association for 38 years, is retiring from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 30.
“This has been a journey of a lifetime,” said Baker. “It is hard to put into words what it has meant to lead such a wonderful organization and be able to work and collaborate with so many great people and partners. I am so proud of the many things we have been able to accomplish together. While I am sad that this chapter is coming to a close, I am looking forward to my next chapter with my lovely wife Patti, knowing that we will forever be a part of the Cotton Bowl family.”
Baker, the dean of bowl executive directors, has guided the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic to exponential growth during his tenure. From coordinating national broadcast, conference and title sponsor partnerships to the move to AT&T Stadium to becoming a member of the College Football Playoff, he has guided the Classic to heights that were not imaginable from its 1937 origin.
Known for its legendary hospitality, the Cotton Bowl Classic under Baker’s leadership has become one of the most revered traditions in all of college football. The Classic’s annual impact on North Texas is an estimated $100 million in total economic impact, with the direct economic dollars nearly doubling since the game moved to AT&T Stadium in 2010.
