You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
The Bowl Experience:<br />
The proof is in the numbers<br />
Do bowl games reach their main goal, that of providing each game participant<br />
with a quality experience that they will remember the rest of their lives?<br />
Yes, they do ... and if proof is needed, the Football Bowl Association and the<br />
NCAA have the numbers.<br />
Four different surveys done over the past six years by those two groups, the<br />
ones most involved in college football’s bowl system, have reached the same<br />
conclusions. The bowls, their organizations and the institutions that stage<br />
the games have been overwhelmingly successful at giving student-athletes,<br />
coaches, support groups and fans a positive experience to end their seasons.<br />
The NCAA and Ohio University last year produced a 'satisfaction' survey. A total<br />
of 78 teams participated in 40 bowls. Seventy percent of teams survey reported<br />
a 'very positive' experience while another 28% reported a 'positive' experience.<br />
Two seasons ago, 2016-17, analysts at San Diego State University and George<br />
Washington University released a comprehensive study on the economic impact<br />
of bowl games in the communities where they are played.<br />
Some of the highlights included:<br />
• The average economic impact [EI] ranged from $12.6M on<br />
the lower end [Group of 5] to $93.7M for New Year’s Six<br />
contests. Taking all bowls into account, the average EI was<br />
$40.3M. The total estimated income derived from bowl<br />
games per year is over $1.4 billion dollars.<br />
• In many cases, bowl week spending ranks in the top three<br />
shopping weeks of the year for bowl locales of all sizes, be<br />
it New Year’s Six games, Power 5 vs. Power 5, Power 5 vs.<br />
Group of 5, and Group of 5 vs. Group of 5.<br />
Four years ago, the <strong>FBA</strong> sent surveys to all 72 bowl institutions, and these were<br />
directed exclusively to the most important group – the student-athletes. The<br />
<strong>FBA</strong> partnered with the Ohio University Center for Sports Administration for<br />
another far-reaching survey to find out if the bowls were truly resonating with<br />
the student-athlete.<br />
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta provided a perfect backdrop<br />
for last year's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl game. Central Florida<br />
concluded its unbeaten season with its victory over Auburn.<br />
– 4 –