Celebration Bowl added for 2015 bowl schedule, to feature MEAC vs. SWAC
The Celebration Bowl is the latest bowl game to be added to an already crowded bowl season, and will see its inaugural game played on Dec. 19, 2015 in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
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The Southwestern Athletic Conference and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference — two conferences featuring Historically Black Colleges and Universities — have joined forces with ESPN and the Georgia Dome (as well as the Atlanta Falcons) to put on a bowl showcase for their leagues.
Both the SWAC and MEAC currently play in the FCS, making this one of the few end-of-season bowls featuring two teams from that division, as well as HBCUs.
The panel of gentlemen who made the announcement at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta consisted of ESPN Senior Vice President of Events Pete Derzis, MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas, SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp, 100 Black Men of Atlanta CEO John Grant, and Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay.
The announcement was emceed by ESPN personality, Jay Harris.
“As part of the conference’s continued efforts in branding and increasing its exposure on a national platform,” said Thomas. “I am elated that the champions from the MEAC and the SWAC will compete in a bowl game during the most exciting time of the year for collegiate football.”
“This is a great opportunity for our schools, and student-athletes to complete on a national stage and showcase the talent that exists within HBCUs,” stated Sharp. “And to have it during bowl season, the most exciting time in college football is a bonus.”
The inaugural Celebration Bowl — named to honor a celebration of the legacy, values and traditions of Historically Black Collegees and Universities — will be played at the Georgia Dome, with the game moving to the Atlanta Falcons’ new stadium when it opens in 2017.
Having the support and involvement of the Falcons organization was crucial to being able to plan this bowl game, as a suitable home for the game that was near the heart of the two conferences would be needed, as well as the help of the Falcons planning and support staff.
“We’ve got a lot going on, so we had to find a really cool place to host this event and have all these young athletes come into our town and experience Atlanta first-hand,” McKay said of the event. “Arthur [Blank] has always been a big support of the Black College Football Hall of Fame.”
For more information about the game and it’s formation, you can visit www.thecelebrationbowl.com and follow the news for the inaugural game on Twitter @CelebrationBowl
Next: 10 Teams Who Can Win the 2015 National Championship
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