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AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl To Pit the Mountain West Conference vs. the ACC, Beginning in 2010
Oct. 22, 2009 Shreveport, La. - The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl will feature an ACC-Mountain West matchup beginning in 2010, both conference and bowl officials announced on Thursday.The third selection from the Mountain West Conference will meet the seventh selection from the Atlantic Coast Conference beginning in December of 2010 at Independence Stadium. The agreement with the two conferences runs through 2013. The Independence Bowl's lengthy relationship with both the Big 12 and SEC will end after the conclusion of the 2009 game. Since 2006 the bowl has had the seventh selection from the Big 12 and the eighth selection from the SEC. "We are excited about what the future holds for the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl and feel our new conference partnerships with the ACC and Mountain West are a precursor to the growth and direction that is the primary goal of the leadership of our organization," said AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl Executive Director Missy Setters. "AdvoCare is excited and honored to be involved with the Independence Bowl, and our new partnership with two premier conferences, the ACC and the Mountain West, will ensure the Independence Bowl has representatives from each conference in the coming years and the possibility of nationally ranked teams," said AdvoCare President and CEO Richard Wright. "We look forward to building relationships with both conferences." The Mountain West celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2008-09 and had one of its finest seasons ever on the football field. The MWC sent five teams to bowl games for the second consecutive year. Three MWC football teams were ranked all eight weeks of the BCS Standings, and finished the season in final top 25 polls, including two in the top 10, for the first time in league history. Utah's No. 2 and TCU's No. 7 ranking in the final polls marked the first time two teams from non-automatic-qualifying conferences have been ranked in the top 10 since 1984. TCU earned the ranking after defeating #9 Boise State, 17-16, in the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl. Utah entered the 2009 season with the nation's longest win streak at 14 games, after finishing the 2008 campaign with the nation's only undefeated mark at 13-0. With their 31-17 Sugar Bowl win over No. 4 Alabama, the Utes became the first team from a non-automatic qualifying BCS conference to win two BCS bowl games. "The new affiliation with the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl will support our conference's continued growth in a number of areas," said MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson. "The tradition and history of the bowl itself, with two of our institutions- Air Force and TCU, having played in past games, coupled with a recruiting area that is gaining more traction with our members, make this a very positive relationship. We have enjoyed competing against the Atlantic Coast Conference in the regular season and now look forward to a postseason matchup as well." The Mountain West currently has three teams ranked in the BCS top 25 with TCU at eight, BYU at 16, and Utah in the 18th spot. The ACC sent an NCAA record 10 teams to bowl games last year, including conference champion Virginia Tech making its third BCS bowl game appearance in five years. Florida State has made five BCS appearances while Maryland and Wake Forest have each made an appearance in the FedEx Orange Bowl in the last seven years. "The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl is a welcome addition to the ACC Bowl lineup and we are excited about the partnership ahead," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "Shreveport has supported the bowl for years and consequently the Independence Bowl has a strong history and tradition in the college football post-season. Our ACC schools look forward to adding to that tradition." The Atlantic Coast Conference also has three teams in the BCS rankings this week with Miami in the 10th spot, Georgia Tech at 12 and Virginia Tech at 14. The Independence Bowl is no stranger to ACC teams, as it has hosted Clemson, Maryland, Virginia, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech since its inception in 1976, along with TCU and Air Force from the Mountain West. "As we look to move the Advocare V100 Independence Bowl to the next level, I am thrilled that we have reached agreements with both the Atlantic Coast Conference and Mountain West Conference," said 2009 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl chairwoman Toni Goodin. "We are extremely excited about our new relationships with the ACC and MWC and we look forward to a long partnership with both."
TICKET PACKAGES, MEMBERSHIP, SPONSORSHIP The Family FUN Pack includes four south end zone tickets, four roundtrip shuttle passes, and various discounts for family activities throughout Shreveport-Bossier at local restaurants and businesses. The Touchdown Club is specially designed for larger groups of 10 or more. This package includes 10 south end zone tickets and 10-roundtrip shuttle passes for only $325. The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl also offers two wonderful ticket donation programs, with the Military Ticket Initiative and the Kid's Corner Youth Ticket Initiative. The Military Ticket Initiative is available for fans to purchase and donate $25 south end zone tickets to our area military men and women. The Kid's Corner Youth Ticket Initiative allows businesses and individuals the opportunity to donate 25 or more tickets to an area non-profit organization of their choice. This program is also a great way for youth groups to sit together at the Independence Bowl in a fun and safe environment. Information on becoming a member of the Independence Bowl Foundation or a corporate sponsor of the bowl is also available at the Bowl Office located on the ground floor of the American Tower in downtown Shreveport at 401 Market Street, Suite 120. Those interested may also contact the Bowl Office at 318.221.0712 or toll free at 888.414.BOWL (2695) or visit the bowl's official website at www.independencebowl.org. The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl will host the inaugural "Bowl Cut Day" on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Guy's Academy on Shreveport-Barksdale Highway. Participants can get a specially designed "Bowl Cut" for only $15 and all proceeds go directly to the Bowl's Military Ticket Initiative, and will also receive a free t-shirt and entry into a drawing to win two chairback tickets to the 2009 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl. Honey Baked Ham and Café will provide food and local radio stations will be on hand publicizing the event with remotes.
The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl has teamed up with Bistro Byronz to hold a one-night fundraiser to benefit the Independence Bowl. Special seating times will be available for Independence Bowl Foundation members throughout the day and evening on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the restaurant, located at 6104 Line Avenue in Shreveport. A percentage of the proceeds from that day will be donated to the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl's Kid's Corner, sponsored by Barksdale Federal Credit Union, and the Military Ticket Initiative, through the restaurant's "Bistro for A Cause" program.
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