Updated

The new leader of the Fiesta Bowl says he will be the "chief braggart" for the event's positive aspects as he leads the rehabilitation of one of the premier games in college football.

University of Arizona President Robert Shelton donned the Fiesta Bowl's traditional bright yellow sports jacket at a news conference Tuesday to introduce him as the event's new executive director.

The 62-year-old physicist replaces John Junker, who was fired after an internal investigation uncovered widespread lavish spending, an apparent illegal system of political contributions and an attempt to cover up the problems in a cursory initial probe.

Shelton acknowledged the bowl's rapid fall from grace and looked forward to leading the climb back to respectability.