Why are the Scottsdale police escorting a college football players around town??? Original Article Scottsdale police escort bowl teams around town Michael Ferraresi The Arizona Republic Dec. 30, 2005 12:00 AM NORTHEAST VALLEY - Snarled traffic and gawking passers-by are as much a part of the annual Fiesta Bowl tradition as the game itself. Police motorcades have also become part of Bowl Week in recent years, as visiting teams have made their headquarters at northeast Valley resorts. Scottsdale is currently paying for eight to 12 police officers to form "moving roadblocks" for Ohio State and Notre Dame as players are shuttled between hotels, practices and other functions before Monday's Fiesta Bowl. Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell said the motorcades have become an annual tradition. The focus is to cut down on traffic congestion and to prevent the football teams from inconveniencing Scottsdale commuters, he said. The teams' charter buses are guided around by several motorcycle officers who block streets and direct cars as needed to keep the athletes on schedule. "We just try to get them off the roads in time, and in one piece," Rodbell said. The police motorcades are funded by Scottsdale, not by the universities. Motorcycle officers and other traffic patrolmen are assigned to the Fiesta Bowl escorts. If necessary, officers will work overtime, though police did not report how much overtime pay has been issued this year or in the past. Scottsdale's police presence is merely to halt traffic, not to provide additional security for the athletes. Rodbell said he does not recall any serious incidents with unruly fans in recent years. But the motorcycle officers are nearby, if needed. The scene at the Ohio State and Notre Dame hotels is low-key. Players are frequently seen signing autographs for fans, when possible. Notre Dame is staying at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Paradise Valley. Buses move between the resorts and the team's practices at Scottsdale Community College. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes, who are playing for their third Fiesta Bowl win in the past four seasons, are staying at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. Police escort the team from the resort to its practice field at Pinnacle High School in northeast Phoenix. "It's a sight to behold, to watch those guys at work," said Bob Tucker, football operations director for Ohio State. "We have motor escorts in other places - maybe two (officers) to take us to a main event - but not for practices, players' dinners, and other events like we have here," Tucker said.