The idea of a college football bowl game in Mobile was formulated decades ago with a simple presumption.
Why not bring together a community’s love for football, along with its know-how on throwing a party as the origination of Mardi Gras, for a bowl game to celebrate the region’s festive spirit?
It’s been an enduring connection.
The 68 Ventures Bowl featuring Eastern Michigan (6-6) and South Alabama (6-6) celebrates a 25th anniversary of bowl history in Mobile on Saturday night at Hancock-Whitney Stadium. The milestone moment, televised on ESPN, reinforces the efforts to keep this event as part of college football’s now extensive bowl game lineup.
“We’re certainly proud of it. We’ve had a really good run,” said Jerry Silverstein, the co-founder of the bowl game, who has been the bowl president since the inaugural game on Dec. 22, 1999, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. “We thought it would be successful, but like any new venture, you just never know and it exceeded our expectations.”
The event features South Alabama playing for the first time in this bowl since the Jaguars started a football team 14 years ago. It’s also being staged at USA’s on-campus Hancock Whitney Stadium (24,450 capacity).
All Area-Reggie Smith, Escambia High School
The Jaguars’ roster includes starting senior center Reggie Smith, an Escambia High graduate, who has not missed an offensive line start in the past two years.
In what might be his final football game, Smith is embracing the moment.
“I’m taking it as a blessing, man,” said Smith, speaking to AL.com in a recent story. “As a senior getting to play one more time in our home stadium and just to getting to soak all that in. Being with our fan base, my teammates, being at home, there’s just no better feeling.”
South Alabama was a fledgling athletic program in 1999 – a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/escambia-grad-reggie-smith-cherishes-100837918.html
Author : Pensacola News Journal
Publish date : 2023-12-23 10:08:37
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