Rockets Take Break from Bowl Preparation to Visit Hospital Maternity Ward

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Toledo Rockets had a full day of activities in Boca Raton, Fla. on Sunday, starting with a morning practice, followed by a visit to a local hospital and concluding with an afternoon visit to the beach.

Toledo (8-4, 6-2 MAC) faces Louisville (8-4, 4-4 ACC) in the Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans at FAU's Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN.

The Rockets held their second practice on Sunday at Boca Raton High School in preparation for bowl, a brief walk-through of slightly less than one hour. The Rockets will practice again tomorrow, their final time on the field before Tuesday's game.

"Today and tomorrow, you get to go through the final steps in preparing for the game," said Interim Head Coach Robert Weiner. "Today was more of a mental day. We get to walk through it today, and then tomorrow we basically do it at a full speed pace to get that game-wrap mentality."

After practice, nine student-athletes visited the maternity ward at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, where they greeted parents of newborn children as well as hospital staff, sharing bowl-branded onesies, baby bibs, Bush's Beans bucket hats and tickets to the game.

"This was an absolutely amazing experience," said offensive lineman Matt Hofer. "It's a blessing to be able to come and be with people who have probably just had the craziest past couple days of their lives, seeing their newborn children for the first time and just getting to love on them. It's great to also celebrate and appreciate these nurses and amazing staff who are just here helping new families grow while their own families are probably out celebrating the holidays."

The Rockets closed out the afternoon with a relaxing visit to nearby Deerfield Beach.

Tomorrow's activities include the bowl kickoff luncheon at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, and a joint pep rally at the Mizner Park Amphitheater at 6:00 p.m. The Rocket Marching Band and the UT cheerleaders will perform at the pep rally.

Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans Ticket Information

Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans. Tickets can be purchased through the bowl website at Bocaratonbowl.com/tickets. Tickets will be delivered via Ticketmaster, with full instructions sent by email when delivered.

Alumni Pre-Game Party

The UToledo Alumni Association is hosting a pregame party at the Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans. The party will take place at Flagler Credit Union Stadium from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tickets for the party are $35 and do not include a game ticket. For more information, go to UToledo Alumni Pregame Party or call 419-530-2586.

Players Mentioned

Matt Hofer