Community Objectives

In addition to showcasing a great brand of football, the International Bowl has many objectives, such as:

• Showcasing the pageantry, excitement and atmosphere of NCAA Division I College Football;

• Drawing positive international attention to the City of Toronto to stimulate tourism during an historically low time of year for tourism;

• Generating a significant positive economic impact for the region; and

• Supporting worthy causes in the community.

Charitable Association

With respect to supporting worthy causes in the community, the International Bowl will be closely associated with one or more local charities. Details on these charitable associations will be posted here shortly.

Other Community Related Activities

The teams participating in the International Bowl would like to thank their host city by giving back to people in need within that community and spreading some holiday cheer. To that end, certain players and administrators from both teams will be lending a helping hand during bowl week. Details on these activities will be posted here shortly.

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Many people often wonder why Bowl games are important, why there are multiple bowl games, and why there isn’t a playoff system like in other sports. Below are some answers:

• Last season, twenty-seven communities throughout the U.S. and Canada hosted thirty-two post-season college football bowl games. Some 6,400 student-athletes, 12,900 college band members, 1,200 cheerleaders, and about 1.6 million fans took part in the “college bowl experience.”

• Bowl games have been a part of college football for ninety years. They have provided some of the greatest moments in college football history.

• The addition of the recent new bowl games has provided opportunities for more schools, communities and fans to participate in the unforgettable bowl experience.

• Bowl games bring a measure of importance to the regular season not seen in other sports. No other intercollegiate sport plays as few regular season games as football, and every game is critical.

• There are 32 college bowls that allow participation by 64 teams or nearly 50% of all the eligible schools. Players travel to interesting venues, take part in unique experiences, receive national exposure and are treated as if they are all national champions.

• Fans get to "vacation" with their favorite team in a fun and often unique destination. Universities have a focal point to rally their fans, and build relationships with alumni and supporters.

• With a playoff, virtually all of this is lost for all but a few teams. In addition, and maybe even more important to the overall game, the regular season would be undermined.

The bottom line is that bowl games are college football. The pageantry, tradition and excitement are unmistakable and irreplaceable.

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The 2007 International Bowl produced a substantial positive economic impact on the City of Toronto. During a traditionally slow tourism period, the International Bowl attracted thousands of fans from the U.S. and Southern Ontario to the City of Toronto.

Local hotels, restaurants and shops were the beneficiaries (not to mention government tax revenues). In addition, the City of Toronto also received significant national and international exposure with the game televised on TSN in Canada, and ESPN2 in the U.S.

As the International Bowl grows and expands, so too will the economic impact on the City of Toronto.

We would like to say thanks to all those who attended the 2007 International Bowl and thanks in advance for the thousands who will attend the 2008 International Bowl.

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