Sports at Lunch, Dec. 16, San Diego's College Football Bowl season

San Diego's College Football Season begins with the fourth annual San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 23 and the 31st annual Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30 at Qualcomm Stadium.

The Hall of Champions will host Sports at Lunch on Dec. 16 with Phil McConkey, the 1978 Holiday Bowl MVP as a Navy wide receiver; Moses Moreno, the 1997 Holiday Bowl MVP as a Colorado State quarterback; Eric Allen, a cornerback for Arizona State in the 1985 game; and one or two more college bowl veterans that will be invited once the participating teams are announced.

The event will also highlight Allen's induction into the Breitbard Hall-of-Fame on Feb. 18 at the 63rd annual Viejas Salute to the Champions dinner.

The players will comment on their bowl experiences and Allen, an ESPN analyst, will also provide commentary.

McConkey led Navy to a 23-16 comeback victory against BYU when he gave the Midshipmen the lead for good with a 65-yard touchdown catch.

After the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder served his tour of duty flying helicopters in the Navy, McConkey went on to play six NFL seasons. He caught a touchdown pass to help the New York Giants with the Super Bowl in the 1986 season. He finished his career with the Chargers in the 1989 season.

Moreno, an alumnus Castle Park High in Chula Vista, was the Co-MVP with wide receiver Darran Hall of San Diego's Lincoln High when the Rams defeated Missouri 35-24. Moreno threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to give Colorado State a 28-17 lead.

Moreno was drafted by the Chicago Bears and was a rookie in 1998 with the Bears and played two seasons with the Chargers (1999 and 2000).

This year the Poinsettia Bowl matches the No. 2 pick from the Mountain West Conference and the No. 7 pick from the Pac-10. If there isn't a seventh-place Pac-10 team that is bowl eligible, an at-large team will be chosen.

The Holiday Bowl matches the Pac-10 runner-up and the third pick from the Big 12.

Tickets for Sports at Lunch are $25 for HOC members and $30 for non-members. The Hall of Champions is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization and tickets are tax deductible. For reservations, call the HOC events department at 619-699-2309.

WHAT: Sports at Lunch with San Diego's College Football Bowl season.

WHEN: Tuesday, Decemeber 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check-in begins at 11:15 a.m. and program at noon.

WHERE: Center Court at the Hall of Champions, 2131 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park.

RESERVATIONS: Admission is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Call the Events Departmant at 619-699-2309.