EagleBank ties in Navy for 2011, Army 2012

Washington, D.C. – The EagleBank Bowl today announced an agreement to extend its contracts with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Conference USA, Navy and Army while announcing a new agreement with the Big 12 Conference for the 2010-13 bowl cycle.

“For a new bowl, we are thrilled to have partnerships with three great football conferences in the ACC, Big 12 and Conference USA and teams in Navy and Army,” said Steve Beck, EagleBank Bowl Executive Director. “All three conferences and both military academies have impressive football programs, fans and tradition. We look forward to compelling matchups each year as well as showcasing the wonderful pageantry and hospitality of the nation’s capital to all participating teams.”

The EagleBank Bowl will maintain its selection from the ACC for all four years. The opponent is Conference USA in 2010, Navy in 2011, Army in 2012 and the Big 12 in 2013. If Navy or Army are not bowl-eligible in their respective years, a team from the Big 12 will be selected in 2011 and from Conference USA in 2012. All games will be played in historic RFK Stadium.

“Our relationship with the EagleBank Bowl has been terrific,” said John Swofford, ACC Commissioner. “Our teams and fans have the opportunity to experience post-season football in our nation’s capital while facing a quality opponent in historic RFK Stadium. We look forward to growing this partnership in the years ahead.”

“The Big 12 is pleased to be adding the EagleBank Bowl to its lineup,” said Dan Beebe, Big 12 Commissioner. “The opportunity to participate in a bowl game in our nation’s capital will be a great experience for our players, coaches and fans. We are also excited about the matchup with a quality ACC opponent.”

“We were excited to begin this relationship with the EagleBank Bowl, and are even more excited to continue it,” said Britton Banowsky, Conference USA Commissioner. “The educational value for our student-athletes in our nation’s capital is tremendous. And, when you couple that with a great ACC team in historic RFK Stadium over the holidays, the potential is unlimited.”

As part of its overall mission and in tribute to the nation’s capital and military, the EagleBank Bowl seeks to include a service academy in the game. Navy participated in the inaugural game in 2008 and Army is the projected opponent in 2009.

“Washington is a fantastic destination city,” said Chet Gladchuck, Naval Academy Director of Athletics. “The EagleBank Bowl was the finest overall entertainment and educational experience for our midshipmen of any bowl we have attended over the past six years. The accommodations, history, culture, competitive match-up and close proximity for our fans make this partnership a natural. We are grateful for the opportunity to earn a return trip to our nation’s capital.”

“We greatly value our relationship with the EagleBank Bowl,” said Kevin Anderson, Army Director of Athletics. “We remain hopeful of delivering a team to the game this year, and are certainly looking forward to future appearances in what we feel ranks as one of the fast-growing bowls in the country. We believe the great number of Army personnel in and around our nation’s capital make this game a perfect fit for the Army team.”