Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl
Address:
P.O. Box 601400
San Diego, CA 92160
Phone Numbers
619-283-5808
- Neighborhood: Linda Vista/USD
The Holiday Bowl initially was conceived to annually feature the Western Athletic Conference champion against a nationally-ranked opponent. The WAC champion served as automatic host team in the Bowl from 1978 through 1994. From the game's inception through 1990, the Bowl matched the WAC champion against an at-large team. In 1991, the Bowl reached an agreement to have the Big Ten third selection play the WAC champion. In 1995, an agreement was reached between the Holiday Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Pac-10, Big 12 and WAC. The Pac-10 runner-up or WAC champion would play in either the Holiday or Cotton Bowl and the Big 12 third selection would play in the Holiday Bowl. After the breakup of the WAC in 1997, the Holiday Bowl signed agreements with the Pac-10 and Big 12 conferences. Currently, the Pac-10 runner-up serves as the game's anchor team to oppose the third selection from the Big 12. From that first kickoff on December 22, 1978, the Holiday Bowl has been a financial success. In its first year, the Holiday Bowl paid out a modest $218,645 to Navy and BYU. In 2008, Oregon and Oklahoma State each received over $2.3 million. Since the Holiday Bowl was inaugurated in 1978, it has played to more than 90% of capacity. Of the 31 games, 17 had victory margins of one touchdown or less and the outcome of 20 games was decided in the final four minutes, earning the Holiday Bowl a well-deserved reputation as one of the most entertaining games of the post-season schedule. The game also serves as an annual economic boon to the San Diego Community. In its 31-year history, the Holiday Bowl has generated over $486 million in economic impact. The 2008 game brought 36,052 visitors to San Diego who filled 40,481 San Diego hotel room nights and contributed $34.7 million to the local economy. The Pacific Life Holiday Bowl is a non-profit organization and has a mission of generating tourism, exposure, economic benefit and civic pride for San Diego and its citizens by producing the nation's most exciting bowl game and festival of events.
|
