Sugar Bowl names Duane Lewis director of communications

NEW ORLEANS – The Sugar Bowl Committee has named Plaquemine, La., native Duane Lewis as director of communications, according to an announcement by Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Paul Hoolahan.

Lewis, 35, joins the Allstate Sugar Bowl after a 10-year public/media relations career with the National Football League's Super Bowl XXXIV Champion St. Louis Rams as their director of football media (2003-05) and, more recently, as director of new media (2006-07).

Lewis, a member of the FWAA, will serve a major role as the media director for the Allstate BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2008, when New Orleans will double host bowls in the space of a week. The actual Allstate Sugar Bowl Game will be played on Jan. 1, 2008.

"We're pleased to have Duane join our team here at the Sugar Bowl," said Hoolahan. "His background is impressive and well-suited for us as we prepare to host the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Allstate BCS National Championship Game in January 2008."

Working in more than 200 NFL games, Lewis' experience includes 10 playoff games with the Rams while also working five Super Bowls. During his tenure with the Rams, Lewis was selected by the NFL to work as part of the NFL's public relations staff for Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville. He also was selected to work the 2000 and 2002 NFC Championship games.

Lewis earned his bachelors degree from Southern University–Baton Rouge. He also worked as a sports correspondent for both the New Orleans Times- Picayune and The Baton Rouge Advocate before beginning his NFL career.