BOWL SEASON OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2024
REWARDS OF BOWL SEASON
The Many Memories Players Will Cherish Forever By KEVIN McNAMARA
W
hile fans from coast-to-coast tune in
The opportunities to make an impact are both
and watch their favorite college football
extensive and varied. The Arkansas State and Northern
teams during Bowl Season, they almost
Illinois teams both spent an hour exploring the
always miss many of the memories the players will
history of slavery in America at the Legacy Museum in
cherish forever.
Montgomery, Ala., a few days before the Camellia
The games, and results, matter to every
Bowl kicked off. A few
competitor but there are
hours south in Mobile,
many other benefits to
teams in the 68 Ventures
a bowl experience that
Bowl visited the Prodisee
last a lifetime. Players,
Pantry and stocked lunch
coaches and staff arrive
boxes for the hungry.
at bowl host cities several
“We got the chance to
days before kickoff.
go to the Legacy Museum
In between practices,
and it means so much.
meetings and other football preparation, the teams make sure to not only explore the historical highlights of
Eastern Michigan stopped by the Prodisee Pantry and lent a helping hand in packaging non-perishable goods for those in need.
the area but many also enjoy charitable work. And don’t forget that this is college football, right? Everyone is out for a little fun in their free time as well.
That’s what Montgomery is all about,’’ said Arkansas State coach Butch Jones. “The opportunity to learn and make an impact at
these bowl games is really important to our program.” College football players rarely enjoy any free time during most road trips throughout the fall. Those BOWL SEASON | January 2024
1
games, many against fierce rivals, are all business.
his team faced Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl
Bowl Season is different and filling the free time in
presented by GoBowling.com.
a great location, around the holidays, offers some fabulous opportunities.
“This is my first time in D.C. and it’s been good so far. I love the people. It’s different from New Orleans
The teams at the Valero Alamo Bowl visit the Alamo. Members of the Miami and Rutgers teams spent time at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum before the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
but a good different. I’m
“The origin of bowl games goes
definitely going to have
back to the idea of stimulating
Robinson said.
tourism in a community at a time of year when people were not traveling for vacation — while
to come visit again,” Bowl Season executive director Nick Carparelli says that the history of rewarding college football programs with
also rewarding a team for a
games in cities that are
successful season.”
boost remains a model
in Shreveport, La., has a long-standing charitable relationship with the Holy Angels, a home
– NICK CARPARELLI
Bowl Season Executive Director
looking for a tourism that is working from coast-to-coast. “The origin of bowl
for residents with disabilities. Players from Georgia
games goes back to the idea of stimulating tourism
Southern and Ohio University visited the Grand Strand
in a community at a time of year when people were
Humane Society before the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
not traveling for vacation — while also rewarding a
And then there are student-athletes like Tulane’s
team for a successful season,” Carparelli said. “Over
Lance Robinson. The senior from New Orleans had
the years, that community engagement has grown
never been to the Washington, D.C. area before
to include a strong charitable component for virtually
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
every bowl game. Bowls are much more than just a
kids,” said offensive lineman Marcus Harper. “I would
game. The 40-plus communities across the country
love to do this again any day.”
that annually host bowl games are tremendously
Many bowls take advantage of their sunny locations
proud to do so. They spend a lot of time and effort
and provide opportunities for the players and coaches
showcasing everything
to relax and enjoy
that is great about their
themselves. Whether it’s
destination. The bowl
a trip to Universal Studios
week events do just
at the LA Bowl, a Lu’au
that while providing
at the EasyPost Hawai’i
memorable experiences
Bowl, a walk-through
and lifelong memories for
South Beach at the
everyone involved.’’
Capital One Orange Bowl
Few charitable
or just enjoying a Beach
endeavors brought
Day at the RoofClaim.com
bigger smiles that when
Boca Raton Bowl, no one
children from Special
turns down some fun in
Olympics Arizona showed up to an Oregon Ducks’ practice before the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
The Georgia football program enjoyed a night on the water to see some of South Beach’s most iconic scenes.
the sun. And there is plenty of indoor and nighttime fun on tap as well. Players
The youngsters ran through some drills with the
from Maryland and Auburn witnessed a professional
Ducks and received some Oregon gear.
wrestling match before the TransPerfect Music City
“To be able to give back to the community and in
Bowl. Fresno State and New Mexico State players
a fun fashion, there’s no better opportunity than to
squared off in Family Feud before the Isleta New
be out here in sunny Arizona having fun with these
Mexico Bowl, and the Texas State and Rice teams BOWL SEASON | January 2024
3
enjoyed themselves at the Cidercade arcade in Dallas before the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. “Many of the players and teams have never been to these destinations and may never have the chance to do so in the future,” Carparelli said. “They will certainly never again have the opportunity to share these types of experiences with all of their closest friends and teammates. We talk a lot about the importance of providing meaningful experiences for the student-athlete. The bowl week does that for football players in a way that can’t be done by any other event at any other time of year. College football needs bowl games. There are winners and losers during Bowl Season and clearly the opportunity for a program-changing victory, a career-closing win or the emergence of new stars is vitally important. But Bowl Season also brings the opportunity for team experiences and
BOWL SEASON NAMES EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL FIRST ALL-STAR GAME MEMBER The East-West Shrine Bowl, the nation’s oldest college all-star football game, has been named the first and only all-star game member of Bowl Season. Through this partnership, the East-West Shrine Bowl officially joins 43 other college football bowl games as a member of Bowl Season. Along with being the first allstar game as a member of Bowl Season, the East-West Shrine Bowl becomes Bowl Season’s second oldest game next to the historic Rose Bowl Game.
memories that will last much longer. “This was just a fantastic day for us, fantastic
The 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl will
week,” Shawn Elliott, the coach at Georgia State
kickoff Thursday, February 1, 2024 in Frisco,
said after a win over Utah State in the Famous
Texas, at Ford Center at The Star, the worldwide
Idaho Potato Bowl. “The bowl committee, everyone around here, made this a special week for us. I wanted our guys to enjoy it. This is what the bowls are about, enjoying yourself, rewarding yourself for a tough season. You can’t put a price on what this did for us.”
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
headquarters and training facility for the Dallas Cowboys. The game will be nationally televised in primetime on NFL Network. Proceeds from the game will fully benefit the mission of Shriners Children’s.
2023-24 BOWL SEASON STORIES RECAP Catch Up on Season 3 Guests You May Have Missed Steve Shaw • Matt Rhule • Bruce Feldman • Brian Kelly • Gloria Nevarez • Joshua Perry Joe Tessitore • Mike Perrin • Nick Ferroni • Virginia Tech O-Line • Jon Steinbrecher • Qadry Ismail Matt Barrie • Roman Oben • Jim Phillips • Chris Zorich • Mike Tirico • Keith Gill Danny Wuerffel • Shannon Spake • Greg Schiano • Chris Carlin • Matt Cassel • Rob Gronkowski Judy MacLeod • Dorian Williams • Merton Hanks • A.J. Edds • Greg Sankey Rhett Lashlee • Mike Aresco • Rich Rodriguez • Bob Roller • Dan Mullen Tony Petitti • Emmanuel Michel • Stewart Mandel
#BOWLSEASON
@BOWLSEASON
BOWLSEASON.COM
A LOOK INSIDE Q&A with Steve Beck (Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com) and Derrick Fox (Valero Alamo Bowl)
B
owl Season is filled with great games and great experiences for players, coaches, fans and the communities that host everyone. Here is a look inside from two of the best, Steve Beck of the Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com and Derrick Fox of the Valero Alamo Bowl. Your game matched Tulane and Virginia Tech this
Tulane players this year and most of the Virginia Tech
year, two very different teams and fan bases. How
team as well. They get plenty of free time to just walk
did that offer new opportunities for the Bowl?
around town and see so many historic spots.
STEVE BECK: One of the best experiences for
How do you balance the sights and events in the
myself and our staff is
District with the history of Annapolis and Navy-
watching the reaction
Marine Corps Memorial Stadium?
of the student-athletes
BECK: Both teams stay in D.C. so that is our base
when they get here to
and they really receive great exposure to our nation’s
Washington, many for
capital. They can walk to the White House, access all
the first time. Seeing
of the Smithsonian museums and other sights. We
their eyes when they
do have some formal tours, including at the National
drive by the Mall and
Museum of African-American History and Culture.
our iconic monuments
Anyone who has been to Annapolis realizes the
is priceless. That was
special history that the Naval Academy offers and our
definitely the case for the
fans enjoy the historic charm that Annapolis offers.
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
Your bowl always does a great job exposing the
impressive group of fans as well and we had a great
teams to military leaders and history. Could you
game-day parade in downtown Annapolis.
offer some examples from this year’s event? BECK: Our focus is on the military and its role
Finally, the Military Bowl Foundation has really
in our region. This year the teams
helped grow college football in the Washington,
heard a motivational
D.C. area. Your game
speech from Col.
and week of activities
Greg Gadson, who
are integral to that
was just magnificent.
charge.
He’s written a book,
BECK: It sure is. The
Finding Waypoints, that
D.C. Touchdown Club
recounts his journey
honors the best and
and the players certainly
brightest high school
took notice that he
and collegiate players
spoke to the New York
and teams in our area
Giants before they
and we hold several
upset the Patriots in the
events that benefit
2008 Super Bowl. This
Patriot Point. That
year we honored the
is the Foundation’s
50th anniversary of our Vietnam War heroes and we also welcomed seven Medal of Honor recipients on game day.
Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 136 yard with two touchdowns in the 2023 Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com.
294-acre retreat on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It’s a true oasis where wounded, ill and injured service members and their
The Hokies pulled away and beat Tulane, 41-20, and you could feel the excitement from the Tech fans.
families can enjoy time with one another. We had 42
BECK: Absolutely. Tech fans showed out, for sure,
retreats with nearly 500 guests to Patriot Point this
and the energy was spectacular. Tulane brought an
year and always look forward to many more. BOWL SEASON | January 2024
7
Partnership Spotlight
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Arizona sores to a 38-24 in front of 55,853 in attendance at the 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl.
customer base.
IMPROVE FAN EXPERIENCE Going cashless provides a touch-free experience for everyone. Fans are free from the hassle of carrying a wallet, cash or cards. Transaction
So many bowl games are blessed with great locations for fun and a rewarding celebration for a successful season. Anyone who’s been to San Antonio certainly appreciates the benefits of the Riverwalk and that fun city. How do you take advantage of those assets? DERRICK FOX: Well, you’re correct that San Antonio offers so much for visitors and we certainly try to leverage
times are reduced and lines are shorter enabling fans more time to enjoy your unmissable events. Create seamless, personalised experiences for your fans. By sending your fans promotions and offers which are based on their behaviour, you can create more enticing offerings which enhance their stay, increase their spend and boost loyalty.
REAL-TIME INSIGHTS Understand peak sales times, crowd flow patterns and the products that are most in demand. Make operational efficiencies during
all of the benefits of our
your event. Reward customer loyalty with direct
city and surrounding
communications to drive further engagement
area. The teams and
with you and your sponsors.
their families and SeaWorld where they
UNLOCK NEW REVENUE STREAMS
had the largest light
Let your sponsors get direct access to your fans
display in the state of Texas.
by running their own rewards and incentives
friends all went out to
The downtown area around RiverWalk is a hub for several
programmes. Use the data from those campaigns to build stronger, more successful sponsorship deals.
days before the Valero Alamo Bowl and on game day we sponsor a very busy and fun Fan Zone between The Espee and the Dome. Our game drew nearly 56,000 fans this season.
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
LEARN MORE
With Arizona and Oklahoma you were blessed
focus is certainly on football and we offer top-notch
with two passionate fan bases this year. How did
facilities to practice and prepare for the game.
that effect the overall bowl experience? FOX: I’d say one unique experience that both fan bases
The Valero Alamo Bowl makes a huge impact in
really enjoyed is our River Rally, which is a blocks-long
the San Antonio area. What are some of those
pep rally on the RiverWalk. The players, coaches and
highlights?
pep bands are in barges on the river and fans just pack the area leading into the Arneson River Theatre. We do that two days before kickoff. But our downtown is so close to the Alamodome some teams have chosen to walk to the stadium on game day.
We provide an average
“That’s San Antonio. It’s a town built for fun. The Valero Alamo Bowl keeps the teams busy enjoying the flavor of San Antonio.” – DERRICK FOX Alamo Bowl President/CEO
annual economic impact of $40 million to San Antonio and are proud of the impact our extensive local and national sponsors make every year. They help us own a #1 ranking of all bowl games in local scholarship giving. We awarded $1.2 million this
Sign us up. This sounds like a great party and
year and over $10 million since that program began
vacation.
in 2000. For the last 25 years we’ve worked with the
FOX: That’s San Antonio. It’s a town built for fun. The
San Antonio Food Bank with our Fill the Bowl Food
Valero Alamo Bowl keeps the teams busy enjoying the
Drive and our sponsors help underwrite more than
flavor of San Antonio. The Alamo area itself is currently
1,000 game tickets a year for youth from local charity
being restored but they were able to visit the site. The
organizations. BOWL SEASON | January 2024
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2 023-24
Note s
43 10K+ 1.54M 190M EXPERIENCED BY:
BOWL GAMES
including the National Championship
STUDENT-ATHLETES PARTICPATED
FANS IN ATTENDANCE
TELEVISION VIEWERS
CFP Semifinals Viewership The College Football Playoff Semifinal games combined for a total viewership of 46.42M. → The Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential was the most watched semifinal game since the CFP’s inception.
27.69M
18.74M
JAN. 1 Alabama vs. Michigan ESPN | ESPN2 | ESPNU
JAN. 1 Texas vs. Washington ESPN | ESPN2 | ESPNU
VIEWERS
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
VIEWERS
BOWL SEASON 2023-24 Notes
MOST-WATCHED NON-CFP BOWLS
The 40 non-CFP bowl games across ESPN networks, ABC, FOX and CBS averaged 3.04M viewers. → Ten bowl games posted their best audiences in at least five years.
1
2
10.39M 9.72M
3
5
VIEWERS
VIEWERS
6.8M
4.65M
DEC. 29 Missouri vs. Ohio State ESPN
DEC. 30 Ole MIss vs. Penn State ESPN
JAN. 1 Iowa vs. Tennessee ABC
JAN. 1 Liberty vs. Oregon ESPN/ESPNU
7
8
9
10
VIEWERS
VIEWERS
DEC. 30 Georgia vs. Florida State ESPN
6
7.77M
4
VIEWERS
4.61M
4.31M 3.93M 3.84M VIEWERS
VIEWERS
VIEWERS
VIEWERS
JAN. 1 Wisconsin vs. LSU ESPN2
DEC. 28 NC State vs. Kansas State ESPN
DEC. 28 Arizona vs. Oklahoma ESPN
DEC. 27 North Carolina vs. West Virginia ESPN
DEC. 29 Memphis vs. Iowa State ESPN
11
12
13
14
15
VIEWERS
3.6M
3.51M 3.43M 3.26M 3.09M 3.08M VIEWERS
VIEWERS
VIEWERS
VIEWERS
VIEWERS
DEC. 27 Louisville vs. USC FOX
DEC. 29 Clemson vs. Kentucky ESPN
DEC. 29 Oregon State vs. Notre Dame CBS
DEC. 23 Utah vs. Northwestern ABC
DEC. 27 Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State ESPN
BOWL SEASON | January 2024
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Biggest Comback Win
Most exciting bowl finish? How about the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl where Jacksonville State scored a tying TD with 1:46 left and then beat Louisiana on a 27-yard field goal in overtime by Garrison Rippa.
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
eback unfolded at the The most improbable com in Charlotte when Old Famous Toastery Bowl 0 lead but Western Dominion ran out to a 28Kentucky did not quit. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp went to work, throwing five TD passes including one to tie the game at 35-35 with just :19 seconds left. A 29-yard field goal gave the Hilltoppers the improbable win.
BOWL SEASON 2023-24 Notes
Craziest Quarter
Few quarters were as crazy as the fourth at TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Kentucky led Clemson, 21-10, but the two teams exploded from there. The Wildcats scored two touchdowns but Clemson rang up three TD’s and two field goals to rally for a 38-35 shootout victory.
1
In the Nick of time Points were at a premium in Tucson at the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl but Wyoming kicker John Hoyland was on his game. He booted a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter and added a 24-yarder with just one second on the clock to help the Cowboys nip Toledo, 16-15.
BOWL SEASON | January 2024
13
MLBowl Season The gridiron is the back bone of college football and it’s post season. Bowl Season has proven that we can put that surface in some of the most memorable stadiums in the United States. Four of which are home to Major League Baseball teams.
1
YANKEE STADIUM New York Yankees
2
PETCO PARK San Diego Padres
3
CHASE FIELD
Arizona Diamondbacks
4
FENWAY Boston Red Sox
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
BOWL SEASON 2023-24 Notes
play-by-play for 18 College Bowl Games Bowl Season Radio aired on terrestrial radio stations throughout the country, as well as Sirius XM satellite radio. In addition, the games streamed live on Tune-In, Audacy and The Varsity Network apps.
The Bowl Season Radio schedule included the Cricket Celebration Bowl, Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl, Isleta New Mexico Bowl, Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, Famous Toastery Bowl, Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, 76 Birmingham Bowl, Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl, Quick Lane Bowl, SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com, Wasabi Fenway Bowl, Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, TransPerfect Music City Bowl, and ReliaQuest Bowl. The East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game will be aired on February 1, 2024.
BOWL SEASON | January 2024
15
Overti m e Drama in CFP Sem if in al
The first of two CFP semifinal games, the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, was an all-timer. Alabama shook off a slow start to rally in the second half and carry a lead into the final minutes only to see J.J. McCarthy hit Roman Wilson for a tying score with 1:34 on the clock. In overtime, Michigan Corum ran star running back Blake when Crimson Tide and one in from 17 yards was stopped short of quarterback Jalen Milroe rines took a giant step the goal line, the Wolve pionship. towards a National Cham
Bowl Season teamed up with Repreve to continue their sustainability efforts at the 2024 Rose Bowl presented by Prudential. Repreve, who supplies the fibers for the Bowl Bound shirt program, had its mobile tour in Pasadena where fans passed through their interactive display.
CFP Semifinal Thriller In the second CFP semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Washington Huskies preserved their perfect season, and a 21-game winning streak, but not until the very last play. The Huskies led 34-21 early in the fourth quarter but Texas rallied and had four shots at the end zone with just seconds left. A final Longhorn pass was batted down by Elijah Jackson and coach Kalen DeBoer’s team was packing its bags for Houston.
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
BOWL SEASON 2023-24 Notes
Eye of the Tiger
ns Bowl Season mea ReliaQuest e th at y opportunit rrett Bowl. LSU QB Ga ced du ro int r Nussmeie tball by foo ge lle co himself to uchdowns throwing three to ers on a and leading the Tig cure a 35-31 win. 98-yard drive to se
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
17
Three FBS programs secured their first bowl win during wl Season the 2023-24woBo n the R&L Carriers
Jacksonville State 31 over in state favorite New Orleans Bowl 34r transitioning from Louisiana in its second yea l played in its first ever bow FCS to FBS. Texas State a t Responder Bowl, game, the SERVPRO Firs tly, the Roadrunners of Las 45-21 victory over Rice. 17 grams’ first bowl win 35UTSA registered the pro wl. Bo oter’s Coffee Frisco over Marshall in the Sco
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
BOWL SEASON 2023-24 Notes
Celebration Showers The Gatorade shower tradition originated on the sidelines of the New York Giants with nose tackle Jim Burt and head coach Bill Parcells in the 1984 NFL season. With Bowl Season serving as an annual celebration of college football, it's only fitting that bowl games have tweaked this time-honored tradition to fit their unique brands.
BOWL SEASON | January 2024
19
2 023-24
Champions
Ohio Georgia Southern
41 21
Florida A&M Howard
30 26
Jacksonville State 34 Louisiana 31
Appalachian State 13 Miami Ohio 9
Fresno State 37 New Mexico State 10
UCLA Boise State
35 22
Texas Tech California
34 14
Western Kentucky 38 Old Dominion 35
UTSA Marshall
35 17
South Florida Syracuse
45 0
Georgia Tech UCF
30 17
Duke Troy
17 10
Northern Illinois Arkansas State
21 19
Air Force James Madison
31 21
Georgia State Utah State
45 22
Northwestern Utah
14 7
Coastal Carolina San Jose State
24 14
Minnesota Bowling Green
30 24
Texas State Rice
45 21
South Alabama 59 Eastern Michigan 10
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BOWL SEASON | January 2024
49 36
Virginia Tech Tulane
41 20
West Virginia North Carolina
30 10
USC Louisville
42 28
Oklahoma State Texas A&M
31 23
Boston College SMU
23 14
Rutgers Miami
31 24
Kansas State NC State
28 19
Arizona Oklahoma
38 24
Clemson Kentucky
38 35
Norte Dame Oregon State
40 8
Memphis Iowa State
36 26
Missouri Ohio State
14 3
Ole Miss Penn State
38 25
Maryland Auburn
31 13
George Florida State
63 3
Wyoming Toledo
16 15
LSU Wisconsin
35 31
Oregon Liberty
45 6
Tennessee Iowa
35 0
FEB. 1
Frisco, Texas Ford Center at The Star CFP Semif inal Michigan Alabama
CFP Semif inal 27 20
Washington Texas
CFP Championship 37 31
Michigan Washington
8 PM ET | NFL Network
34 13
BOWL SEASON | January 2024
21
BOWL SEASON 2023-24 Champions
Kansas UNLV
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