April 16, 2014 (Orlando) Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and leaders from the Orlando Sports Foundation (OSF) announced the creation of the Cure Bowl, a postseason NCAA football game with strong ties to charitable organizations working to find a cure for breast cancer. Teams from the American Athletic Conference and the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) will take to the field in the inaugural Cure Bowl set for December 2015 at the newly renovated Citrus Bowl.
“We were committed to enhancing the Citrus Bowl so we could attract more events to Orlando,” said Mayor Dyer. “Adding another postseason bowl game to the schedule will draw more people to our City benefiting our local economy.”
While most NCAA bowl games make contributions to charity, few include the name of their cause in their title.
“The Cure Bowl is the first of its kind to combine the passions of college football with the importance of supporting breast cancer research,” said Myra Biblowit, President & CEO of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation who took part in the announcement. “The funds raised through this exciting partnership will enable critical research investigations that are bringing us one step closer to finding the cure.”
Alan Gooch has led the volunteer team behind bringing the Cure Bowl to reality since 2008 as Executive Director of OSF. Gooch and OSF will provide management of the event and day-to-day operations of the bowl. “The Orlando Sports Foundation is excited to provide the student athletes of the American Athletic Conference and the Sun Belt Conference an opportunity to play in a post season bowl here in Orlando,” said Gooch. “Partnering with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation gives both organizations a national platform to help fund cancer research at the highest level”.
Commissioners from the American Athletic Conference and Sun Belt Conference were on hand for today’s announcement.
“We are pleased to partner with the Cure Bowl and commend the organizers for their dedication and commitment to such a worthy cause while also supporting youth organizations in Central Florida,” said Mike Aresco, Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference. “By adding the Cure Bowl to our already strong bowl lineup, we continue to meet our goal of providing a competitive game and a desirable destination for our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”
Added Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson, “The Sun Belt Conference and its member universities are enthusiastic about partnering with the Cure Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and the Orlando Sports Foundation. The growth and strength of the Sun Belt Conference continues as evidenced by this announcement. In addition to being an attractive bowl game and a positive step forward for the Sun Belt, the mission of the Cure Bowl is something that everyone should be able to get behind and support. We are honored to participate in an arrangement where a goal of the organization is to put an end to breast cancer.”
The Cure Bowl promises to be more than just a great football game as its goal is to raise community awareness and support for breast cancer research.
“We are seeking a broad base of volunteer and financial support from not only those organizations currently leading the fight against breast cancer, but also from the greater Central Florida community,” said Megan Dowdy, OSF Board President. “This is not just a football game; this is a battle to protect our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, nieces and best friends. Together, we can tackle this!”
According to Florida Sports Foundation President John Webb, “Sports are an extremely important sector to the state’s economy generating $44 billion each year. It is great to welcome the Cure Bowl to the continually growing list of world class events that take place in Florida!”
