News Archive
2011 GAME STORY AND NOTES
2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
Game Story - Notes
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011
Dobson Leads Marshall past FIU 20-10 to Win the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Wide receiver Aaron Dobson was named Marshall’s MVP as he scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the Thundering Herd to a 20-10 win over FIU in the Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. Conference USA’s first win in the event’s history was seen by 20,072 fans and a national television audience on ESPN.
T.Y. Hilton was named FIU’s MVP as the senior caught a game record eight passes for 88 yards, accumulating a total of 147 all-purpose yards, in his final appearance for the Panthers. True freshman signal caller Rakeem Cato was strong in his postseason debut for the Thundering Herd, completing 27-of-39 passes for 226 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Defensive stars included Jordan Hunt with 13 tackles, all solo, including two for a loss and a sack and Marshall’s Tyson Gale who made 10 stops, 2.5 of them for a loss with a sack.
After a pair of fruitless possessions, Marshall would open the scoring on the game’s third possession, marching 45 yards in 10 plays for a 37-yard Tyler Warner field goal. The drive was keyed by a remarkable 25-yard completion from Cato to Jermaine Kelson who caught the 3rd-and-8 pass one handed, while being interfered with.
The next two scores would both be by the Panthers. FIU broke into the point column with 1:31 left in the first quarter when Hilton zipped to the end zone on an end around that capped an 8-play, 47-yard march to pay dirt. FIU extended its lead to seven points at 10-3 midway through the second quarter when Jack Griffin sent a Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl record 46-yard field goal through the uprights.
Just 23 seconds before halftime, Marshall knotted the game at 10-10 when Aaron Dobson made a tremendous over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone on a 31-yard fade pass from Cato.
The two defenses began to assert themselves in a third quarter where the sides combined for a total of just 106 yards of offense. While the defenses held each offense at bay it would be a special teams play that changed the complexion of the game.
A Darryl Roberts sack on third down forced the Panthers to punt from their own 22 yard line midway through the fourth quarter. Zach Dunston snuck in off of the edge and met Jermaine Kelson at punter Josh Brisk’s feet, blocking the kick. Billy Mitchell gathered the loose ball and advanced it to the eight yard line where officials ruled that he fumbled it forwards into the end zone where the Herd recovered. The apparent touchdown came off the score board but the momentum generated remained.
FIU’s defense held but Warner’s 39-yard field goal with 5:16 to play would prove to be the game-winning score.
"It's been a strength of ours all season long,” Marshall head coach Doc Holliday said. “We weren't getting anything done offensively and we had to create something. We blocked six punts in our six wins this season. We have been able to win the close games this year."
FIU fumbled the ball on the ensuing possession and Marshall consumed the majority of the remaining game clock from there, sealing victory on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Dobson on a fourth down play with 30 seconds left in the game.
GAME NOTES
- Game MVPs were Marshall wide receiver Aaron Dobson with seven catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns and FIU wide receiver T.Y. Hilton with eight catches for 88 receiving yards and 147 all-purpose yards.
- Marshall records Conference USA’s first victory in the Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl.
- FIU’s 10 points are the fewest scored in a Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl.
- Record Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl lows by FIU include passing yards (159), rushing attempts (27), first downs (12), third down conversion percentage (4-for-15), third down conversions (4) and most punts (9).
- Record Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl highs by Marshall include passing attempts (39), completions (27), completion percentage (69),
- The teams combined for a Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl record 16 punts.
Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl individual records: - Marshall quarterback Rakeem Cato had 27 completions and 39 attempts
- FIU receiver T.Y. Hilton had eight receptions
- Marshall’s Andre Booker had three marks with four punt returns for 58 yards with a long of 39
- Marshall’s Tyler Warner tied the field goal mark with two
- FIU’s Jack Griffin had the longest field goal, making one from 46 yards out.
- FIU’s Josh Brisk had eight punts. The blocked punt is credited to the FIU team and not him individually.
- Former Marshall quarterback Chad Pennington was on the Herd's sidelines for the game.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642;
Rachel Margolis at ESPN; rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
Rachel Margolis at ESPN; rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
Dec 19 - Daily Wrap
2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
Daily Wrap
Sunday, Dec. 19, 2011
Today’s Weather:
Hi: 75 degrees
Lo: 60 degrees
Mostly Sunny
Practice:
FIU and Marshall held their final walk-throughs at Tropicana Field on Monday afternoon.
Mario Cristobal, FIU Head Coach
“This trip has been such a great first-class experience. It’s hard to believe it’s time to play the game. We haven’t played in three weeks, so in our final walk-through we’ll be making sure we are organized and haven’t let anything slip.”
Doc Holliday, Marshall Head Coach
“There isn’t any question after watching FIU play against Louisville and Central Florida that they are an extremely talented team. Our kids understand that and are very excited for this outstanding opportunity.”
KICKOFF LUNCHEON at Renaissance Vinoy Resort:
The annual Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl kickoff luncheon, featuring FIU head coach Mario Cristobal, Marshall head coach Doc Holliday and keynote speaker Vince Papale was held on Monday afternoon at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in downtown St. Petersburg. Papale, who was the subject of the blockbuster Disney movie, “Invincible,” the stirring football drama starring Mark Wahlberg as Papale, shared his motivational story with coaches, student-athletes, athletics staff, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl staff, sponsors, community leaders and fans at the luncheon. Papale’s speech provided tremendous motivation for all in attendance. At the conclusion of his speech, he received a standing ovation. Two former Tampa Bay Buccaneer players participated in the luncheon, including former quarterback Shaun King, who served as emcee and former Pro Bowl Mike Alstott, who is serving as the game’s Honorary Chairman.
Vince Papale, Keynote Speaker
“I took away a lot of energy and passion from the kids on FIU and Marshall. To get a chance to hang out with Mike Alstott was also pretty cool. I sat next to Doc Holliday and I can tell you the coaches are already in game mode. They have their game faces on.”
Mario Cristobal, FIU Head Coach
“Vince (Papale) delivered a great message for our team as well as everyone else at the luncheon. I think everyone (on our team) raised their hand when he asked if anyone had seen his movie (Invincible). He has a very inspirational story. We can relate to his story in the fact that we are only playing in only our sixth year of (FBS) football.”
BATTLE OF THE BANDS at TradeWinds Island Resort
Fans, bands, cheerleaders and team mascots in beach attire joined for an afternoon full of fun and festivities, including a beach cook out, tug‐o-war, flag football, boxing ring, and more on beautiful St. Pete Beach. The event is free to the public.
Contest Winners:
Battle of the Bands Competition: FIU
Wing Eating Contest: FIU
Tug-O-War: FIU
5K Run / Walk benefits The Mike Alstott Family Foundation and Athletes for Hearts, Inc.
Runners competed Monday evening in a 5K race that began at Tropicana Field and finished at the popular sports bar Ferg’s in downtown St. Petersburg. The proceeds from the race and silent auction, held after the race, went to Athletes for Hearts, Inc. and the Mike Alstott Family Foundation.
UP NEXT
What’s Happening -- on Tuesday, Dec. 20
Game Day
Weather Forecast:
Hi: 74 degrees
Lo: 65 degrees
Mostly Sunny
Weather Forecast - IN DOME:
Hi: 72 degrees
Lo: 72 degrees
Clear
FAN TAILGATE EXTRAVAGANZA
Fans are encouraged to attend in their game day attire and enjoy the fun at our gameday interactive area with entertainment for fan of all ages at The Fan Tailgate Extravaganza on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Tropicana Field, Lot 7A from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Food and beverage will be available for purchase. The event is free to the public.
GAME DAY DETAILS
2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg, Tropicana Field
Stadium Ticket Office opens at 9:00 a.m.
Parking Lots open at 2:00 p.m.
Will Call opens at 4:00 p.m.
Stadium Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642;
Rachel Margolis at ESPN; rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
Rachel Margolis at ESPN; rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg Daily Wrap 12-18
2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
Sunday, Dec. 18
Today’s Weather:
Hi: 75 degrees
Lo: 65 degress
Mostly Sunny
Practice:
Marshall had its first practice at Tropicana Field this morning from 9:00 am - 11:00 am.
Doc Holliday, Marshall Head Coach
“We are playing a quality team in FIU that’s well coached and extremely talented. Just like any other game we play, we have to make sure that we are well prepared or we’ll have problems.”
On the progression of freshman QB Rakeem Cato
“He has gotten better as the season has gone along. He’s a typical freshman. You go through a lot of growing pains with freshmen. Fortunately he’s got some games under his belt now. He grew throughout the year. You saw the improvement he made from game one until the end of the year against East Carolina.”
Vinny Curry, Marshall Defensive End
"We’re definitely excited about playing at this point. We worked hard for this game. We’re down here on a mission and that’s to win a football game.“
Tyson Gale, Marshall Linebacker
“They (FIU) have the same kind of skilled players as Houston and Southern Miss. We just have to take the same approach. We can’t miss open tackles.”
On his final game
“This is a big game for me because it’s my last game as a senior and I know I may never play a football game again.”
FIU Practice
FIU practiced for 90 minutes on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Tropicana Field.
Mario Cristobal, FIU Head Coach
“We’re ready, we've prepared hard and very thorough. It's such a tremendous opportunity for our players; they have been so enthusiastic at practices. It's time to play this game and put on a great show for the city of St. Petersburg and show who we are.”
On Marshall QB Rakeem Cato
“He's a good player and it's hard to slow him down. He's an athletic quarterback, you have to play assignment football, by that I mean, don't let your eyes drift, don't get caught looking at something you’re not supposed to be and make sure you are on point the entire game for 60 minutes.”
Wesley Carroll, FIU Quarterback
"These guys have been motivated and we have had awesome preparation. Our practices have been high tempo; a lot of energy, a lot of positive reinforcement. Everybody is amped up and ready to go to get this going."
On the Bowl Experience:
"It has been great here. The bowl has done a great job. The food has been great, the hospitality has been unbelievable. The cruise last night was unbelievable. It was cool to get out there on the water."
BEACH BASH at TradeWinds Island Resort
With the temperatures in the mid-70s and sunny skies, it was a perfect day to enjoy St. Petersburg Beach at the TradeWinds Island Resort. Both teams arrived at the resort in the afternoon and after team meals, the players took advantage of the numerous beach amenities including a water slide, beach volleyball court and of course the beach.
Later in the afternoon the teams met for their first competitions of the week at the main pool deck. Surrounded by fans from both teams, players from each team competed in a belly-flop contest, hula-hoop contest, talent show and a dance-off. Each team claimed two wins so the deciding contest will be on the field on Tuesday night at 8:00 pm in the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg.
Contest Winners:
Belly Flop: Brandon Bullock, Marshall
Hula Hoop: Jose Cheeseborough, FIU
Talent Show: Ceedrick Davis, FIU
Dance Off: Isaiah “Jazz” King & Troy Evans, Marshall
UP NEXT
What’s Happening -- on Monday, Dec. 19
Weather Forecast:
Hi: 72 degrees
Lo: 61 degrees
Mostly Sunny
Closed Walk-Throughs at Tropicana Field:
Both teams will hold final walk-throughs on Monday afternoon at Tropicana Field.
All-Children’s Hospital Visit: 9:00 a.m.
Team captains, mascots and cheerleaders from each team will visit the children at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. ESPN/Disney and the two participating teams will provide gifts.
Kickoff Luncheon at Renaissance Vinoy Resort: Noon
Coaches, student-athletes, and other members of the official travel party join the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg staff, sponsors, community leaders and fans for a luncheon at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. The luncheon will include speeches by each head football coach. The keynote speaker will be Vince Papale, who was the subject of the blockbuster Disney movie, “Invincible,” the stirring football drama starring Mark Wahlberg as Papale.
Battle of the Bands at TradeWinds Island Resort St. Pete Beach: 2:30 p.m.
Fans, school bands, cheerleaders and mascots in beach attire join in for an afternoon full of fun and festivities, including a beach cook out, tug-o-war, flag football, boxing ring, and more on beautiful St. Pete Beach. The event is free and open to the public.
Bowl Block Party at Ferg’s Sports Bar Downtown St. Petersburg: 5:00 p.m.
Bands, cheerleaders and mascots will be on-site for the festivities that include live bands, interactive games and displays. Bowl tickets and merchandise will be available. The event is free and open to the public.
5K Run/Walk benefiting The Mike Alstott Family Foundation and Athletes for Hearts, Inc. at Tropicana Field
The 5k race starts on the east side of Tropicana Field at 6 p.m. and will be preceded by the Kids’ Races at 5:30 p.m. All races will finish at the popular sports bar, Ferg’s. There will be a silent auction at Ferg’s with proceeds from the race and auction going to Athletes for Hearts, Inc. and the Mike Alstott Family Foundation.
2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg Daily Wrap 12-17
2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
Daily Wrap
Saturday, Dec. 17
Today’s Weather:
Hi: 75
Lo: 65
Mostly Sunny
TEAM ARRIVALS:
Marshall Arrival
Marshall Arrived via Charter at Tampa International Airport this afternoon. When the buses rolled up to the Renaissance Vinoy Resort a large supportive group of Thundering Herd fans were on hand to greet the Marshall team.
Mike Hamrick, Marshall Athletic Director:
"We had a nice trip down this afternoon and are excited to be in St. Petersburg for what we feel will be a wonderful experience for our student-athletes."
Doc Holliday, Marshall Head Coach:
"Our kids and staff are excited to be in St. Petersburg for this bowl. A trip like this is a reward for the program, but our guys know that we also have a tough challenge ahead against a very good FIU team on Tuesday."
Ryan Tillman, Marshall Right Tackle:
"We can go outside and enjoy the weather down here, that's for sure. We're happy to be here and we'll be ready for FIU Tuesday night."
FIU Arrival
FIU departed from Miami following a morning practice and headed north to St. Petersburg with a caravan of buses. An enthusiastic group of fans were at the Hilton Bayfront St. Petersburg entrance to meet the Panthers.
Mario Cristobal, FIU Head Coach
“If we could we’d play the game right now. We’ve had a great week of practice with a lot of anticipation. We’re very excited to be in St. Petersburg and excited about the opponent we are facing.”
Pete Garcia, FIU Executive Director of Sports & Entertainment
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for months and we’re very excited to finally get here and start the bowl week. We’re looking forward to having a successful game and having a lot of fun.”
T.Y. Hilton, FIU WR
“We’re very happy to be here, especially it being in Florida. It means a lot to us that our fans will be able to come and support us.”
TEAM CRUISE
ESPN welcomed the coaches, student-athletes, official party members, and spouses for a scenic cruise Saturday night which departed from the Renaissance Vinoy Resort boat dock in downtown St. Petersburg. The official traveling parties of both teams had dinner and enjoyed a cruise along the Bay on the Starlite Cruise Ship.
ESPN LINEUP CHANGES
ESPN announced that Danny Kanell will replace Craig James as the color analyst for the ESPN TV broadcast of the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg and will join the team of Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Jeaninne Edwards (sideline reporter). Kanell, who had been scheduled to provide analysis for ESPN Radio, has been replaced by Charles Arbuckle. Arbuckle will join play-by-play announcer Rob Stone and sideline reporter Chris Rix on the ESPN Radio broadcast.
What’s Happening -- on Sunday, Dec. 18
Weather Forecast:
Hi: 74
Lo: 65
Mostly Sunny
Chance of Rain: 10%
Team Practices at Tropicana Field:
Marshall (9:00 am - 11:00 am), FIU (11:30 am - 1:30pm)
Beach Bash at TradeWinds Resort:
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642;
Rachel Margolis at ESPN; rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642;
Rachel Margolis at ESPN; rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
ESPN AND ESPN Radio Crews Set for 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Mike Patrick, Craig James and Jeannine Edwards will be the ESPN announce team for the 2011 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg. The fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl game features FIU against Marshall at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN3 and ESPN 3D.
In addition, the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg can be heard nationally on ESPN Radio with Rob Stone handling the play-by-play duties and Danny Kanell serving as the color analyst.
"We are excited to have one of college football’s premier television crews broadcasting this year’s game," said Brett Dulaney, Executive Director of the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg. "The team of Mike Patrick, Craig James and Jeannine Edwards will share tremendous insight on this exciting matchup with the national television audience.”
Tickets for the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg are on sale now and start as low as just $35. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
Fans can enjoy the pregame festivities in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football. Fans can sit right behind the team bench and hear all of the hard- hitting action. It will be the only Beef ‘O’ Brady’s location where fans can literally be in the huddle and still enjoy all the food and beverage served at this premiere event. For tickets in the Bud Light Lounge, fans may contact Carlos Padilla at 727-290-9865 for more information.
About Beef 'O' Brady's
Beef 'O' Brady's is a national franchise of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The "kid appeal" of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. The company, headquartered in Tampa, Fla. has more than 210 locations in 22 states. Visit www.beefobradys.com for more information.
ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, ESPN Regional Television(ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT’s owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.
In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC, BIG EAST, Big 12, Mid-American, WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events:
Collegiate Football
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg; Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth);BBVA Compass Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.); MAACO Bowl Las Vegas; Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas (Houston); MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney (Orlando, Fla.) and The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards
Collegiate Basketball
76 Classic (Anaheim, Calif.); State Farm Champions Classic (Madison Square Garden; debuts 2011); DIRECTV Charleston Classic presented by Foster Grant (S.C.); Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Old Spice Classic (Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan); All-College Basketball Classic (Oklahoma City) and BracketBusters
Collegiate Lacrosse
ESPNU Warrior Classic
Additional Events
Hawaiian Islands Invitational (Soccer) and ESPN National Golf Challenge
For more information, visit ESPNPlus.com.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642;
Rachel Margolis at ESPN; rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
Contract Signing Kicks Off Festivities Thursday Night
The freshly painted football surface at Tropicana Field served as the backdrop as FIU and Marshall officially accepted their invitations to the 2011 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg at the official contract signing at the Everglades Smokehouse Thursday night.
"It's a great day in St. Petersburg," said Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg Executive Director Brett Dulaney. "We have two fine teams who have accepted invitations to our bowl game."
Beef 'O' Brady's, now in its third year as title sponsor for the game, was represented by CEO Chris Elliott.
"We are extremely excited to have Marshall and FIU in this year's game," said Elliott. "We have a great relationship with ESPN, our partners in the bowl game, because we both view this an opportunity to support the local community."
Other dignitaries in attendance included Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg honorary chairman Mike Alstott and City of St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster.
"We have two great teams and we couldn't be happier to join Beef 'O' Brady's and ESPN to welcome these schools to St. Petersburg," said Foster. "This is going to be a great matchup and I invite the entire Tampa Bay region and beyond to experience this bowl game. Thank you for allowing the City of St. Petersburg to play host to this great event."
Accepting the bowl invitation on behalf of FIU were Executive Director of Sports & Entertainment Pete Garcia, joined by head coach Mario Cristobal.
"It is a tremendous honor for our team to play in this game against a great program like Marshall," said Cristobal. "Our fans and families are extremely excited and we cannot thank everyone enough for this opportunity. This was our destination bowl, and it is a privilege and honor to accept this bid."
Marshall Athletic Director Mike Hamrick and head coach Doc Holliday accepted the official invitation at the event.
"You can't believe the passion our fans have for our program and I can assure you they will show that passion here in St. Pete in a couple of weeks," said Holliday. "It is a privilege to be here and we are looking forward to it."
Kickoff for this year's contest is set for 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20 at Tropicana Field.
Kick off College Bowl Season with a Chance to Win Two Tickets to the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg and $10,000
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Lottery is sending ten radio listeners to the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg and awarding them prizes up to $10,000! To celebrate the upcoming changes to POWERBALL®, including bigger starting jackpots, better odds and more millionaires, the Florida Lottery is giving away free bowl game tickets, Scratch-Offs, and cash prizes.
The Listen to Win radio contest with WFUS 103.5 FM will take place beginning Monday, December 12 through Friday, December 16. Each day two listeners will be awarded two tickets to the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg game to see FIU versus Marshall, and $100 in Florida Lottery Scratch-Off tickets. During the game on December 20, the finalists will be called to the field to peel off the top layer of an oversized POWERBALL poster to reveal a prize amount. Finalists have the chance to win up to $10,000!
Beginning on Sunday, January 15, 2012, the following enhancements will be made to the multi-state POWERBALL game: starting jackpots of $40 million, an increased second prize of $1 million, better overall odds of winning a prize in the game and more. In order to offer these improvements, POWERBALLtickets will cost $2 per play. More information on the coming changes to POWERBALL will be available in the New Year.
Florida voters, by a two-to-one margin, approved a constitutional amendment in 1986 authorizing the state to operate a lottery for the purpose of generating significant additional moneys for education. To date, the Florida Lottery has funded Bright Futures scholarships for more than 500,000 Florida students to attend college in our state. Floridians continue to show their support by purchasing billions of dollars in Lottery products per year, resulting in contributions of more than $23 billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund since 1988. For more information regarding the Florida Lottery, its games and its contributions to education, visit www.flalottery.com.
# # #
When you play, we all win.
“$23 Billion for Florida’s Students”
5k Run / Walk Added to Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg Event Schedule
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. December 5, 2011; – The Mike Alstott Family Foundation and Athletes for Hearts, Inc. have announced that a 5k run/walk has been added to the pre-game festivities for the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg.
The 5k Run will be held on Monday, Dec. 19 and will feature kids runs of various distances. Online registration is now open and 500-1,000 runners are expected to participate. All finishers will receive a complimentary game ticket to the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl, to be held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl game features Marshall against FIU.
The 5k race will start on the east side of Tropicana Field at 6 p.m. and will be preceded by the Kids’ Races at 5:30. All races will finish at the popular sports bar, Ferg’s. Registration is $25.00 on-line in advance and $30.00 the day of the race. The kids’ races are $10.00. Food, refreshments and awards will be available at Ferg’s post-race party.
There will be a silent auction at Ferg’s with proceeds from the race and auction going to Athletes for Hearts, Inc. and the Mike Alstott Family Foundation.
For more information on the race, visit www.spbowlfan5k.com.
For more information on the Mike Alstott Family Foundation, visit www.mikealstottfamilyfoundation.org. And for more information on Athletes for Hearts, visit www.athletesforhearts.com.
Tickets for the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg are on sale now and start as low as just $35. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster atwww.ticketmaster.comor by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
Fans can enjoy the pregame pageantry in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football. Fans can sit right behind the team bench and hear all of the hard- hitting action. It will be the only Beef ‘O’ Brady’s location where you can literally be in the huddle and still enjoy all the food and beverage any fan would want. For tickets in the Bud Light Lounge, fans may contact Carlos Padilla at 727-290-9865 for more information.
About Beef 'O' Brady's
Beef 'O' Brady's is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The "kid appeal" of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef 'O' Brady's has more than 260 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest. Visitwww.beefobradys.comfor more information.
ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming,ESPN Regional Television(ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT’s owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.
In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters forESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC,BIG EAST,Big 12,Mid-American,WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events:
Collegiate Football
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg;Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl(Dallas-Fort Worth);BBVA Compass Bowl(Birmingham, Ala.);MAACO Bowl Las Vegas;Gildan New Mexico Bowl(Albuquerque);Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl(Honolulu);Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas(Houston);MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney(Orlando, Fla.) andThe Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards
Collegiate Basketball
76 Classic(Anaheim, Calif.);State Farm Champions Classic(Madison Square Garden; debuts 2011);DIRECTV Charleston Classic presented by Foster Grant(S.C.);Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic(Honolulu);Old Spice Classic(Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.);5-hour ENERGY Puerto Rico Tip-Off(San Juan);All-College Basketball Classic(Oklahoma City) andSears BracketBusters
Collegiate Lacrosse
ESPNU Warrior Classic
Additional Events
Hawaiian Islands Invitational(Soccer) andESPN National Golf Challenge
For more information, visitESPNPlus.com.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642
Rachel Margolis, rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
Marshall Accepts Conference USA spot in 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Marshall, led by a big-play offense and an opportunistic defense, is headed to the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg as the Conference USArepresentative after accepting a bid. The Thundering Herd will face FIU in the fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. On Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
“Marshall football has a storied tradition dating back to 1895 and the program appears back on the rise,” said Brett Dulaney, Executive Director of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg. “We are excited to welcome the Thundering Herd to our game for the first time and are looking forward to an excellent matchup.”
“We are thrilled to take part in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl,” said Mike Hamrick, Director of Athletics at Marshall. “The team will get two weeks of additional practice, along with gaining valuable national television exposure. Marshall University has a significant alumni contingent in, not only the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, but the entire state of Florida. The prospect of showcasing Herd Football to that region is exciting.”
Marshall is led by head coach Doc Holliday, who returns to the Sunshine State after serving as an assistant coach for the University of Florida under Urban Meyer from 2005-07. Holliday was the associate head coach at Florida when the Gators won the 2006 National Championship.
“I want to thank the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl staff, President Dr. Stephen J. Kopp, AD Mike Hamrick and the Conference USA staff for the opportunity to play in this game,” said Holliday. “We are excited to bring our program to the great state of Florida, which is home to over 30 of our current players and many future prospects.”
Marshall’s defense is led by senior defensive stalwart Vinny Curry, a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, as the nation’s top defensive end, as well as candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defensive player), the Chuck Bednarik Award (nation’s best defensive player) and the Rotary Lombardi Award (nation’s best lineman). Curry ranks second nationally this season with 21.5 tackles for loss, tied for second nationally with six forced fumbles and tied for fifth with 11 sacks. His 48.0 career tackles for loss is also tops among all active FBS student-athletes, while his 26.5 sacks rank him seventh.
Thundering Herd junior wide receiver Aaron Dobson led the team with 10 receiving touchdowns this season, while the running back tandem of Tron Martinez (591 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and Travon Van (529 rushing yards, 3 TDs) paced the ground attack in 2011.
Marshall (6-6, 5-3) has played the 12th-toughest schedule in the nation, according to the GBE College Football Ratings. Marshall won a program-record five Conference USA games and finished second in the league’s East Division. The Thundering Herd will be making the 10th bowl appearance in school history and first since 2009, when they posted a 21-17 victory over Ohio in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit.
Tickets for the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg are on sale now and start as low as just $35. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster atwww.ticketmaster.comor by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
Fans can enjoy the pregame pageantry in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football. Fans can sit right behind the team bench and hear all of the hard- hitting action. It will be the only Beef ‘O’ Brady’s location where you can literally be in the huddle and still enjoy all the food and beverage any fan would want. For tickets in the Bud Light Lounge, fans may contact Carlos Padilla at 727-290-9865 for more information.
About Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef ‘O’ Brady’s neighborhood market. The “kid appeal” of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s has more than 260 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest. Visitwww.beefobradys.comfor more information.
ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming,ESPN Regional Television(ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT’s owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.
In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters forESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC,BIG EAST,Big 12,Mid-American,WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events:
Collegiate Football
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg;Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl(Dallas-Fort Worth);BBVA Compass Bowl(Birmingham, Ala.);MAACO Bowl Las Vegas;Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque);Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl(Honolulu);Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas(Houston);MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney(Orlando, Fla.) andThe Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards
Collegiate Basketball
76 Classic(Anaheim, Calif.);State Farm Champions Classic(Madison Square Garden; debuts 2011);DIRECTV Charleston Classic presented by Foster Grant(S.C.);Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic(Honolulu);Old Spice Classic(Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.);5-hour ENERGY Puerto Rico Tip-Off(San Juan);All-College Basketball Classic(Oklahoma City) andSears BracketBusters
Collegiate Lacrosse
ESPNU Warrior Classic
Additional Events
Hawaiian Islands Invitational(Soccer) andESPN National Golf Challenge
For more information, visitESPNPlus.com.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.comor 813-784-3642
Rachel Margolis, ESPN at rachel.l.margolis@espn.comor 860-766-2798
FIU Selected for 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – FIU, led by explosive playmaker T.Y. Hilton, will be making its second-ever bowl appearance in school history after accepting a bid to the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg. The Panthers will face a team to be determined from Conference USA in the fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl gamefrom Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Panthers, from the Sun Belt Conference, filled a slot for the BIG EAST, which didn’t have enough teams to fulfill its bowl commitments. FIU, which fielded its first-ever team in 2002, posted a school-record eight wins in 2011, including a road victory over BIG EAST co-champions Louisville.
“FIU brings one of the top young coaches in Mario Cristobal with very talented playmakers and an extremely enthusiastic fan base,” said Brett Dulaney, Executive Director of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg. “It is very impressive to see a program that is only in its 10th season of playing football accomplishing so much success on the football field. I also want to recognize their passionate fans who let us know how excited they would be to come to St. Petersburg with hundreds of posts on our social media pages.”
FIU (8-4, 5-3) enters the contest on a three-game winning streak and has won four of its last five games. In 2010 the Panthers defeated Toledo, 34-32, in its inaugural bowl game at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
"We are very honored to be invited to the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg,” said Pete Garcia, Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment for FIU. “I am excited for both our team and our fans. This will give our fans an opportunity to watch their football team finish off a great season."
"On behalf of our great university, it is with great excitement that our football program accepts this bid to the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl,” said FIU Head Coach Mario Cristobal. “2011 has been another historical season for our program, and playing in a bowl right here in our home state is a tremendous opportunity for our student athletes and fans."
Hilton, a senior wide receiver, paced the offense with 64 receptions for 950 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Sophomore running back Kedrick Rhodes became just the second Panther and the first in FIU’s FBS history to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a single season with 1,121 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2011.
Tickets for the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg are on sale now and start as low as just $35. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster atwww.ticketmaster.comor by phone at 1-800-745-3000. The fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl game features a BIG EAST Conference team against a representative from Conference USA at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Fans can enjoy the pregame pageantry in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football. Fans can sit right behind the team bench and hear all of the hard- hitting action. It will be the only Beef ‘O’ Brady’s location where you can literally be in the huddle and still enjoy all the food and beverage any fan would want. For tickets in the Bud Light Lounge, fans may contact Carlos Padilla at 727-290-9865 for more information.
About Beef 'O' Brady's
Beef 'O' Brady's is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The "kid appeal" of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef 'O' Brady's has more than 260 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest. Visitwww.beefobradys.comfor more information.
ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming,ESPN Regional Television(ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT’s owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.
In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters forESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC,BIG EAST,Big 12,Mid-American,WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events:
Collegiate Football
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg;Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl(Dallas-Fort Worth);BBVA Compass Bowl(Birmingham, Ala.);MAACO Bowl Las Vegas;Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque);Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl(Honolulu);Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas(Houston);MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney(Orlando, Fla.) andThe Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards
Collegiate Basketball
76 Classic(Anaheim, Calif.);State Farm Champions Classic(Madison Square Garden; debuts 2011);DIRECTV Charleston Classic presented by Foster Grant(S.C.);Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic(Honolulu);Old Spice Classic(Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.);5-hour ENERGY Puerto Rico Tip-Off(San Juan);All-College Basketball Classic(Oklahoma City) andSears BracketBusters
Collegiate Lacrosse
ESPNU Warrior Classic
Additional Events
Hawaiian Islands Invitational(Soccer) andESPN National Golf Challenge
For more information, visitESPNPlus.com.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.comor 813-784-3642
Rachel Margolis, ESPN at rachel.l.margolis@espn.comor 860-766-2798
Vince Papale to Serve as Keynote Speaker at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl Kickoff Luncheon
St. Petersburg, Fla --December 2, 2011; – Vince Papale, a former NFL wide receiver with the Philadelphia Eagles and the inspiration for the blockbuster Disney movie, “Invincible,” will be the keynote speaker at the 2011 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Kickoff Luncheon on Monday, Dec. 19, at noon (ET) at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. The fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl game features a BIG EAST Conference team against a representative from Conference USA at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
"Vince Papale is one of a select few whose life story was such an inspiration that it was developed into a feature film," said Brett Dulaney, Executive Director, Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg . "We are privileged to have him as our keynote speaker this year and I am confident that the student-athletes and other guests at the Kickoff Luncheon will be moved and motivated after listening to him.”
The story of Vince Papale became internationally recognized in 2006 when the feature film “Invincible,” starring Mark Wahlberg as Papale, became a chart-topping box office success. Papale’s story is that of an ordinary guy, who against all odds, takes his shot at every fan’s fantasy going from the grandstands to the NFL playing field when he earned a spot on Dick Vermeil’s 1976 Philadelphia Eagles team. Papale, who earned the nickname “Rocky” because of the similar story of the character from the famed boxing movies starring Sylvester Stallone, is now an author and highly-sought after public speaker.
A limited number of tables are still available for the Kickoff Luncheon. For more information on availability, please contact the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg office at 727.290.9865.
Tickets for the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg are on sale now and start as low as just $35. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
Fans can enjoy the pregame pageantry in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football. Fans can sit right behind the team bench and hear all of the hard- hitting action. It will be the only Beef ‘O’ Brady’s location where you can literally be in the huddle and still enjoy all the food and beverage any fan would want. For tickets in the Bud Light Lounge, fans may contact Carlos Padilla at 727-290-9865 for more information.
About Beef 'O' Brady's
Beef 'O' Brady's is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The "kid appeal" of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef 'O' Brady's has more than 260 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest. Visit www.beefobradys.com for more information.
ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, ESPN Regional Television(ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT’s owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.
In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC, BIG EAST, Big 12, Mid-American, WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events:
Collegiate Football
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg; Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth);BBVA Compass Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.); MAACO Bowl Las Vegas; Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas (Houston); MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney (Orlando, Fla.) and The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards
Collegiate Basketball
76 Classic (Anaheim, Calif.); State Farm Champions Classic (Madison Square Garden; debuts 2011); DIRECTV Charleston Classic presented by Foster Grant (S.C.); Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Old Spice Classic (Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan); All-College Basketball Classic (Oklahoma City) and BracketBusters
Collegiate Lacrosse
ESPNU Warrior Classic
Additional Events
Hawaiian Islands Invitational(Soccer) and ESPN National Golf Challenge
For more information, visit ESPNPlus.com.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642
Rachel Margolis, rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
Winner Announced for the Beef 'O' Brady’s Bowl 2011 Talent Tryouts
November 16, 2011, St. Petersburg, FL --The second annual Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl 2011 Talent Tryouts, created to discover the on-camera sports personality of the Bowl, has determined a winner from the top seven finalists of the promotion.
Kevin Keane, a recent UCF graduate and resident of Odessa (FL), was selected from seven finalists as the winner for 2011.
Keane will star in the official 2011 Bowl Week videos and cover a multitude of events with his own video crew; including the annual events such as Beach Bash, Battle of the Bands, Bowl Block Partyand, of course, the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl on ESPNon Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011at Tropicana Fieldin St. Petersburg.
"Kevin has all the right elements we were looking for – personality, energy and a great knowledge of college football,’ said Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Executive Director Brett Dulaney.
For complete details on the winner and all of this year's finalists, please visit www.bowltalenttryouts.com.
Tickets for the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg are on sale now and start as low as just $35. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. The fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl game features a BIG EAST Conference team against a representative from Conference USA at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Fans can enjoy the pregame pageantry in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football. Fans can sit right behind the team bench and hear all of the hard- hitting action. It will be the only Beef ‘O’ Brady’s location where you can literally be in the huddle and still enjoy all the food and beverage any fan would want. For tickets in the Bud Light Lounge, fans may contact Carlos Padilla at 727-290-9865 for more information.
About Beef 'O' Brady's
Beef 'O' Brady's is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The "kid appeal" of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef 'O' Brady's has more than 260 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest. Visit www.beefobradys.com for more information.
ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, ESPN Regional Television (ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT’s owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.
In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC, BIG EAST, Big 12, Mid-American, WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events:
Collegiate Football
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg; Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth); BBVA Compass Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.); MAACO Bowl Las Vegas; Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas (Houston); MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney (Orlando, Fla.) and The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards
Collegiate Basketball
76 Classic (Anaheim, Calif.); State Farm Champions Classic (Madison Square Garden; debuts 2011); DIRECTV Charleston Classic presented by Foster Grant (S.C.); Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Old Spice Classic (Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan); All-College Basketball Classic (Oklahoma City) and BracketBusters
Collegiate Lacrosse
ESPNU Warrior Classic
Additional Events
Hawaiian Islands Invitational(Soccer) and ESPN National Golf Challenge
For more information, visit ESPNPlus.com.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642
Rachel Margolis, rachel.l.margolis@espn.com or 860-766-2798
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg Tickets on Sale Now
October 6, 2011
Tickets for the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg are on sale now and start as low as just $35. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. The fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl game features a BIG EAST Conference team against a representative from Conference USA at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Fans can enjoy the pregame pageantry in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football. Fans can sit right behind the team bench and hear all of the hard- hitting action. It will be the only Beef ‘O’ Brady’s location where you can literally be in the huddle and still enjoy all the food and beverage any fan would want. For tickets in the Bud Light Lounge, fans may contact Carlos Padilla at 727-290-9865 for more information.
The 2010 game between Louisville from the BIG EAST and Southern Mississippi from Conference USA was a thriller to the end and captured the highest television ratings (2.6) in the short history of the bowl, up more than 20 percent from the previous year. The game featured numerous highlights including a one-handed touchdown grab by USM QB Austin Davis on a trick play, a 62-yard touchdown run by USM’s Desmond Johnson and a 96-yard kickoff return by Louisville’s Jeremy Wright. The Cardinals prevailed 31-28 on a fourth quarter field goal by Chris Philpott, capping a successful turnaround season under first-year head coach Charlie Strong.
BIG EAST teams have won all three games played in the bowl which received NCAA certification in 2008. The inaugural bowl game on December 20, 2008 featured USF topping Memphis 41-14. In the second edition on December 19, 2009, Rutgers posted a 45-24 victory over Central Florida.
About Beef 'O' Brady's
Beef 'O' Brady's is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The "kid appeal" of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef 'O' Brady's has more than 260 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest. Visit www.beefobradys.comfor more information.
ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, ESPN Regional Television(ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT’s owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.
In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC, BIG EAST, Big 12, Mid-American, WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events:
Collegiate Football
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg; Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl(Dallas-Fort Worth); BBVA Compass Bowl(Birmingham, Ala.); MAACO Bowl Las Vegas; Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas (Houston); MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney(Orlando, Fla.) and The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards
Collegiate Basketball
76 Classic (Anaheim, Calif.); State Farm Champions Classic(Madison Square Garden; debuts 2011); DIRECTV Charleston Classic presented by Foster Grant(S.C.); Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Old Spice Classic(Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan); All-College Basketball Classic(Oklahoma City) and BracketBusters
Collegiate Lacrosse
Additional Events
Hawaiian Islands Invitational(Soccer) and ESPN National Golf Challenge
For more information, visit ESPNPlus.com.
Media Contacts: Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.comor 813-784-3642 and Rachel Margolis, rachel.l.margolis@espn.comor 860-766-2798
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg Launches New Website
July 8th, 2011
The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg launched a new website (www.beefobradysbowl.com) Thursday as it begins preparations for the 2011 event Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The fourth edition of the ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owned bowl game features a BIG EAST Conference team against a representative from Conference USA at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The new website is intended to be more interactive with college football fans and has added features to provide more up-to-date information throughout the year and during bowl week. Fans can purchase tickets, buy merchandise and connect to social media, in addition to information regarding the Tampa Bay area, including hotels and restaurants. Fans can also learn more about VIP access to the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football.
"We are thrilled with our new website and know that people will find it much more fan friendly with photos, videos and everything they need to get ready for the start of college football season,” said Brett Dulaney, Executive Director of Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg.
Tickets for the 2011 game will go on sale this summer. The 2010 game between Louisville from the BIG EAST and Southern Mississippi from Conference USA was a thriller to the end and captured the highest television ratings (2.6) in the short history of the bowl, up more than 20 percent from the previous year. The game featured numerous highlights including a one-handed touchdown grab by USM QB Austin Davis on a trick play, a 62-yard touchdown run by USM’s Desmond Johnson and a 96-yard kickoff return by Louisville’s Jeremy Wright. The Cardinals prevailed 31-28 on a fourth quarter field goal by Chris Philpott, capping a successful turnaround season under first-year head coach Charlie Strong.
BIG EAST teams have won all three games played in the bowl which received NCAA certification in 2008. The inaugural bowl game on December 20, 2008 featured USF topping Memphis 41-14. In the second edition on December 19, 2009, Rutgers posted a 45-24 victory over Central Florida.
About Beef 'O' Brady's
Beef 'O' Brady's is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The "kid appeal" of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef 'O' Brady's has more than 260 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest. Visit www.beefobradys.com for more information.
ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, ESPN Regional Television (ERT) annually produces more than 1,000 telecasts of sporting events. Programming includes football, basketball, NCAA events, golf and NHRA events accounting for more than 2,200 live and/or original hours of programming. In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (e.g. – SEC, BIG EAST, Big 12, Mid-American, WAC).
ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events, including collegiate football events: Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg; Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth, Texas); BBVA Compass Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.); MAACO Bowl Las Vegas; New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Texas Bowl (Houston); MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney (Orlando, Fla.) and The Home Depot ESPNUCollege Football Awards. Collegiate basketball events: 76 Classic (Anaheim, Calif.); Champion’s Classic (Madison Square Garden; debuts 2011); Charleston Classic (S.C.); Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Old Spice Classic (Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan); All-College Basketball Classic (Oklahoma City), Sears BracketBusters. In addition, the ESPNU Warrior Classic (Lacrosse), the Hawaiian Islands Invitational (Soccer) and the ESPN National Golf Challenge. For more information, visit ESPNPlus.com.
Media Contacts:
Rachel Margolis, rachel.l.margolis@espn.comor 860-766-2798
Jeffrey Kamis, Trifecta Team, jeff@trifectateam.com or 813-784-3642
Kellen Winslow to Serve as Keynote Speaker at Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl Kickoff Luncheon
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. November 30, 2010; – Kellen Winslow, a member of the Class of 1995 Hall of Fame inductees, will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Kickoff Luncheon, Monday, December 20, at 12 Noon in the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Conference USA member Southern Mississippi will meet a still-to-be named opponent from the BIG EAST Conference in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg Tuesday, December 21 at 8 p.m. at Tropicana Field. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television, Inc. (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg is now in its third season.
"Kellen Winslow is known as a class act, both for his accomplishments at the University of Missouri and with the San Diego Chargers, as well as his community involvement," said Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg Executive Director Brett Dulaney. "He will no doubt provide a powerful message to the student-athletes and traveling parties in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg. The student-athletes will surely count this among their many cherished memories from their Bowl experience."
Winslow was a five-time Pro Bowl selection at tight end while with the Chargers from 1979-87. He finished his career with 541 receptions for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns in nine seasons. Winslow is often recalled for his13-reception performance in a 1981 playoff game against the Miami Dolphins, when he also blocked a field goal with four seconds remaining in regulation, helping the Chargers to a 41-38 overtime win. He is the father of current Tampa Bay Buccaneer tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr.
Tickets for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg are on sale through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone (1-800-745-3000) for just $47.75. Enjoy the pregame pageantry in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Bud Light Lounge, the only on-field hospitality village in all of professional or college football. For just $175, fans can sit right behind the team bench and hear all of the hard- hitting action. It will be the only Beef 'O' Brady's location where you can literally be in the huddle and still enjoy all that food and beverage any fan would want. For tickets in the Bud Light Lounge, fans can contact Carlos Padilla at 727-290-9865 for information.
In last season's Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg, the Rutgers, of the BIG EAST, defeated UCF, of Conference USA, 45-24 in front of a crowd of 28,000. In the inaugural game in 2008, USF, representing the BIG EAST, defeated C-USA representative Memphis 41-14 at Tropicana Field.
Media Contacts: John Gerdes at 813-909-3152 or stpetebowl@yahoo.com Rachel Margolis at 860-766-2798 or rachel.l.margolis@espn.com
