POWERGRAMS

7 The college football bowl season is important to Alabama, even when the state's two biggest teams don't pull out victories in New Year's Day games. When it comes to economic impact and a chance to showcase three of the state's largest cities, bowl games within Alabama carry major significance. The games in Birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery generate millions of dollars in economic impact and draw thousands of visitors, extending Alabama's love affair with football to schools that call another state home. As with any bowl game, the contests in Alabama reward the participants, giving players and coaches additional practice time and national exposure, as well as a chance to end the season with a win. The state and host cities are rewarded with a chance to shine during the added media attention. On Dec. 20, 2014, Montgomery and its inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl shared the spotlight. Bowling Green State University defeated the University of South Alabama 33-28 in one of the most exciting contests of the bowl season. On Jan. 3, the Magic City took center stage as the Birmingham Bowl hosted the University of Florida and East Carolina University in the country's only college game that day. Florida won 28-20. On Jan. 4, Mobile hosted the only bowl game in the U.S. as the GoDaddy Bowl pitted Arkansas State University against the University of Toledo. Toledo defeated ASU 63-44. Mobile closes out the college season with the Senior Bowl, where players from throughout the country play for fans and NFL scouts on Jan. 24. Alabama Power sponsors all four of the bowl games in Alabama. Danny Corte, executive director of the Mobile Sports Authority, said it's hard to overstate the importance bowl games have on a community. "The main thing for us as a city is the economic impact and the national exposure," Corte said. "In terms of what these games mean to the positive publicity for our state and community, it's hard to put a value on the amount of attention they generate. For the Senior Bowl, we are 'NFL Central' for the day." Corte said the hope is that teams and fans visiting from across the nation not only have a pleasurable experience at the game, but leave with a favorable opinion about Alabama, the Mobile area and its hotels, restaurants and nightlife. The same is true for the image the games leave with the TV audience. Corte said these showcase events wouldn't be possible without community support and sponsorships, including title sponsors. "Alabama Power has been involved from the very beginning, when the GoDaddy Bowl was still known as the Mobile Bowl," Corte said. "If we didn't have sponsors, quite frankly, we wouldn't have the bowls." Zeke Smith, executive vice president of External Affairs, said the company recognizes the importance of the bowls. "These bowl games provide millions of dollars in economic impact for the Alabama communities that host them," Smith said. "That's in addition to what they mean to the schools, coaches and players who participate, and to the fans who visit our state and return home with a positive image of Alabama. We are happy to play a part in making these bowl games possible for all who benefit from them." By Mike Tomberlin Bowled Over Camellia Bowl was an exciting contest with the University of South Alabama playing Bowling Green State University. POWER TO ALABAMA GAMES GENERATE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, BOOST STATE'S IMAGE Birmingham Bowl featured the University of Florida and East Carolina University. Photos by John Herr

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