The inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl – to be played at Noon ET Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta – officially confirmed Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion Alcorn State University as the team that will face Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) champion North Carolina A&T State University. John Grant, executive director of the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, was on hand at the SWAC championship game Saturday, Dec. 5, to deliver the official invitation to Alcorn State.
Establishing itself as the first bowl game of the season, the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl is a new Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) postseason football bowl owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN. It is a championship-style game between the MEAC and SWAC champions. ESPN is working with the 100 Black Men of Atlanta to manage the game’s ancillary events, which include a youth symposium, robotics showcase, college and job fairs, a fan experience and more.
Tickets are on sale now at the Georgia Dome box office or at www.ticketmaster.com. Additional details are available at www.TheCelebrationBowl.com. Follow on Twitterand Facebook.
For MEAC fans, a special rate of $99/night is being offered at the Marriott Marquis, and is available for Dec. 17-19.
For SWAC fans, a special rate of $89/night is being offered at the Hilton Atlanta, and is available for Dec. 17-19.
The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center is also offering a special rate, available for Dec. 13-20.
ESPN SportsCenter on the Road will originate LIVE from The Georgia Dome West Plaza between Gates B & C. Jay Harris, Lisa Kerney and Cari Champion will anchor the program along with analyst Jerome Bettis. Both the Alcorn State Sounds of Dyn-O-mite and North Carolina A&T Blue and Gold Marching Machine pep bands and drumlines will be on hand to entertain the crowd.