Inaugural Celebration Bowl will be featured on ABC

[blaw0203]

Inaugural Celebration Bowl will be featured on ABC

Game to be Played on Saturday, Dec. 19
ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN, announced today that the inaugural Celebration Bowl will be televised live on ABC. The new postseason college football bowl game will kick off at noon ET Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
The Celebration Bowl, which showcases the legacy, values and traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, will pit the conference champion from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion.
“We could not be more pleased to have the Celebration Bowl kicking off the college football bowl season on ABC,” said Pete Derzis, senior vice president, ESPN Events. “Not only will the first annual Celebration Bowl deliver a first-class postseason experience to the teams, their fans and their alumni; the live telecast on ABC will bring the thrill and pageantry of the bowl to fans across the nation.”

http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2015/06/inaugural-celebration-bowl-will-be-featured-on-abc/

[WileECoyote06]

I still don't like the bowl and giving up the autobid, but I will admit this is some great news.

[DeltaDevil662]

https://whatistheexcel.com/wooobooru/_images/b8df30809e23fb21dd8c6a17f92dc902/745%20-%20autoplay_gif%20daniel_bryan%20gif%20yes.gif

[PantherRob82]

Very cool.

[Panther88]

Good stuff.

[eaglesdare]

I hope Central doesnt water down OOC schedules in the future. Probably will have another pile up for the conference title, need a fall back plan if we dont make it to Atlanta.

[centennial]

Certainly some good advertisement for the schools involved. ESPN has monetized the celebration bowl well, maybe they can throw some more money at the schools.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Sounds very cool.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Friday Night, ESPN: FCS Semifinal #1
Saturday, noon, ABC: Celebration Bowl
Saturday, 3:30 pm, ESPN: FCS Semifinal #2

Make it so. xthumbsupx

[GAD]

https://whatistheexcel.com/wooobooru/_images/b8df30809e23fb21dd8c6a17f92dc902/745%20-%20autoplay_gif%20daniel_bryan%20gif%20yes.gif
Not the ESPN but ABC xthumbsupx:D

[3rd Coast Tiger]

http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA4LzA1L2U2L2xva2kuMTYxZDYuZ2lmCnAJdGh1bW IJODUweDg1MD4KZQlqcGc/1a3f699f/6e0/loki.jpg

[BluBengal07]

great plus all around. now it's up to the right winners to earn their way to push for a top corporate sponsor. xbeerchugx

my preferred predication:
SWAC: Jackson State, Southern or Alabama State (Grambling, honorable mention because some folk still think they're great)
MEAC: BCU, NCA&T or not sure who else...xdrunkyx

[UIWWildthing]

That's great news!

[PAllen]

Great news for the MEAC and SWAC. I think this pretty much ends the debate on whether or not this was the right move to make for the teams involved.

If this is wildly successful, do more post season bowls pop up in FCS? Do the FCS and FBS swap switch designations? I know, I'm jumping the gun here, but with this game on ABC, you can be sure that ESPN is going to push this as THE post season at this level, and further relegate the playoffs to oblivion.

[813Jag]

great plus all around. now it's up to the right winners to earn their way to push for a top corporate sponsor. xbeerchugx

my preferred predication:
SWAC: Jackson State, Southern or Alabama State (Grambling, honorable mention because some folk still think they're great)
MEAC: BCU, NCA&T or not sure who else...xdrunkyx
ASU can't go this year

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Great news for the MEAC and SWAC. I think this pretty much ends the debate on whether or not this was the right move to make for the teams involved.

If this is wildly successful, do more post season bowls pop up in FCS? Do the FCS and FBS swap switch designations? I know, I'm jumping the gun here, but with this game on ABC, you can be sure that ESPN is going to push this as THE post season at this level, and further relegate the playoffs to oblivion.

Depends on the placement of the semifinals game. I believe one remains on ESPN Friday night on the flagship, and the other Saturday, but not on regular ESPN (maybe ESPN2).

If you see a shift putting the games only on WatchESPN, that would be a bad sign, but I don't think so.

[bluehenbillk]

Friday Night, ESPN: FCS Semifinal #1
Saturday, noon, ABC: Celebration Bowl
Saturday, 3:30 pm, ESPN: FCS Semifinal #2

Make it so. xthumbsupx

Saturday will be on ESPN2 or ESPNU, 5 bowl games that day...
http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/college-football-bowl-schedule.php

[BluBengal07]

http://media.giphy.com/media/itDBteCsTFSVO/giphy.gif

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Great news for the MEAC and SWAC. I think this pretty much ends the debate on whether or not this was the right move to make for the teams involved.

If this is wildly successful, do more post season bowls pop up in FCS? Do the FCS and FBS swap switch designations? I know, I'm jumping the gun here, but with this game on ABC, you can be sure that ESPN is going to push this as THE post season at this level, and further relegate the playoffs to oblivion.

No it won't. It's great for the SWAC & MEAC two teams but it doesn't mean **** about more bowl games to the rest of the division and it won't draw away or detract from the playoffs in a significant way.

BTW, why can't it ever just be a "good to hear" sort of thing?

[Big Dawg]

Gotta give the MEAC and SWAC some credit on this one. Most people thought the game would be pushed to ESPNU or ESPN Classic, for it to be the kickoff to the bowl season on ABC, that's actually pretty huge.

[WestCoastAggie]

A&T vs Southern (my CB prediction) on ABC will draw in great ratings.

[walliver]

Great news for the MEAC and SWAC. I think this pretty much ends the debate on whether or not this was the right move to make for the teams involved.

If this is wildly successful, do more post season bowls pop up in FCS? Do the FCS and FBS swap switch designations? I know, I'm jumping the gun here, but with this game on ABC, you can be sure that ESPN is going to push this as THE post season at this level, and further relegate the playoffs to oblivion.

There is a target audience for this game, and that target is not "generic FCS fan". Other than a few of the Ivies, there is not a lot of national interest in FCS programs. Who wants a bowl game that will draw a maximum of 20-25K, and probably a lot less?

[Catsfan90]

Gotta give the MEAC and SWAC some credit on this one. Most people thought the game would be pushed to ESPNU or ESPN Classic, for it to be the kickoff to the bowl season on ABC, that's actually pretty huge.
I agree. ABC is a significant network. When I first heard about the bowl one of my concerns was them tucking it away in the corner of some network that most people don't even have. I will most likely be watching some of this game now.

[chattownmocs]

Why didn't they call it the black or african american heritage bowl or something? Celebration bowl sounds pretty gay.

[WileECoyote06]

Heritage Bowl was used for the bowl game in the 1990s. Black or African-American bowl just doesn't work; and isn't encompassing.

I hate the Celebration Bowl name though. Legacy Bowl was much better.

[OhioHen]

Congrats to the MEAC and SWAC! Let's just hope that being on ABC will force the use of quality announcers so the teams/players get the level of respect they deserve.

[chattownmocs]

Heritage Bowl was used for the bowl game in the 1990s. Black or African-American bowl just doesn't work; and isn't encompassing.

I hate the Celebration Bowl name though. Legacy Bowl was much better.

I think black heritage bowl is exactly encompassing for a game between hbcus.what am I missing?

[BluBengal07]

I think black heritage bowl is exactly encompassing for a game between hbcus.what am I missing?

that's just wasn't the approach they wanted to take. don't worry about it. Enjoy yourself.


i kind of wonder(very little) how NBC will see this since they host the Bayou Classic yearly.

[walliver]

that's just wasn't the approach they wanted to take. don't worry about it. Enjoy yourself.


i kind of wonder(very little) how NBC will see this since they host the Bayou Classic yearly.

I doubt it affects NBC at all.
The Bayou Classic is a brand with an annual event with known opponents whose fans can make plans a year in advance.
The Celebration Bowl will be like most of the non-BCS bowls. It's popularity will be primarily determined by the teams involved.

[GannonFan]

Saturday will be on ESPN2 or ESPNU, 5 bowl games that day...
http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/college-football-bowl-schedule.php

Big day for the Sun Belt with three bowl game tie ins that day. Really crowded schedule in terms of bowl games for that day, especially early.

[TheRevSFA]

Hey congrats on this. Pretty awesome.

[kdinva]

....Let's just hope that being on ABC will force the use of quality announcers so the teams/players get the level of respect they deserve.

So, is this good or bad for Jay Walker? :D

Maybe that former female lead ref in the MEAC will work the game, too. xoopsx

[Panther88]

So, is this good or bad for Jay Walker? :D
xoopsx

*slap!*

Negative rep points for you sir! But it tickled the heeeeeeeeeeyell out of me lolololololololololol :D. Let my alum make it man. lol

*you already know Jay will be broadcasting* I recall a few ago when we fed this one guy pre-game and he was talking more about the bbq and sides we had than the actual game itself lol. *smh*

[penguinpower]

How many schools will be eligible?

[ASU33]

All schools except Alabama State from the SWAC, and FAMU and Savannah State of the MEAC.

[ASU33]

A lot!

[813Jag]

This year's SWAC rep finally had their postseason ban lifted. Go Jags! :cool:

[kdinva]

halftime show?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0VRGz_yW-0

[BluBengal07]

I'm not a fan of multiple thread about the same thing, with a different focus, but i want to share this new update.....

things are getting a little major though...
http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2015/12/sportscenter-to-originate-from-air-force-reserve-celebration-bowl/
SportsCenter to Originate from Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl

Posted on December 8, 2015

http://txmgv24xack1i8jje2nayxpr.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/us/files/2015/12/Celebration-AFR-660x400.jpg

SportsCenter on the Road will originate from the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, owned and operated by ESPN Events, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. – noon. Jay Harris (http://espnmediazone.com/us/bios/harris_ja/), Lisa Kerney (http://espnmediazone.com/us/bios/lisa-kerney/) and Cari Champion (http://espnmediazone.com/us/bios/cari-champion/) will anchor the program along with analyst Jerome Bettis (http://espnmediazone.com/us/bios/jerome-bettis/). North Carolina A&T (9-2) of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Alcorn State (9-3) of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will meet in the game which pits two conference champions from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

[PantherRob82]

Awesome, that's the second time this year they will broadcast from an FCS game.

[ASU33]

Man the tickets sales look amazing! Closing in on 40,000 with over a week left til game day!

[ursus arctos horribilis]

That is all pretty cool fellers. Hope it's a great game.

[BluBengal07]

That is all pretty cool fellers. Hope it's a great game.

i hope so too. there in big promotion within the conferences and local alumni networks to come out and support the game. there are even sponsored out-of-state charter buses set/setting up.

actually hope it will be more exciting than half of the bowl games on schedule.

[SENOREIDA]

ABC? Wow, didn't expect that.

[Panther88]

SportsCenter on the Road will originate from the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, owned and operated by ESPN Events, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. – noon. Jay Harris, Lisa Kerney and Cari Champion will anchor the program along with analyst Jerome Bettis.


Not sure if all were aware or not. Continue to ascend.

[FootballCEO]

I'll be credentialed and at the game as well in the press box

[BluBengal07]

Not sure if all were aware or not. Continue to ascend.[/FONT][/COLOR]

yea, bottom of page 4. no problem though.

[WestCoastAggie]

Not many Club Level seats or seats in general on the SWAC side. There is still a decent amount of spots left on the A&T side but they appear to be moving fast now.

[BluBengal07]

Both teams' fans should all wear yellow or gold in the stands. that would be pretty epic sight on TV.

[BluBengal07]

The bowl game trophy reviled at the AFRC Bowl Dinner @ College Hall of Fame.

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22046&stc=1

[ASU33]

Very nice! I've seen a LOT of Aggie fans out today here in town!

[CHIP72]

Both teams' fans should all wear yellow or gold in the stands. that would be pretty epic sight on TV.

As long as the players on the field don't look like this:

https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/ap_buccaneers_rams_football_78354656.jpg?w=1000&h=750

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Both teams' fans should all wear yellow or gold in the stands. that would be pretty epic sight on TV.

All the empty red seats are a pretty epic sight, that's for sure.

[DFW HOYA]

The Rams of the Bob Waterfield era:

http://i.imgur.com/TrF33t1.jpg

[CHIP72]

The late 1940s/early 1950s era Los Angeles Rams had white pants to avoid looking like bananas.