MAC Schools To Be Part of Newly Created Patriot Bowl

GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION CREATES FIRST MERIT PATRIOT BOWL AT CLEVELAND BROWNS STADIUM
Annual College Football Game Surrounded by Patriotic Weekend

CLEVELAND, OH – May 9, 2007 – The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced today its newly created, owned and operated event, The First Merit Patriot Bowl.  The Patriot Bowl is an annual college football game featuring a Mid-American Conference (MAC) University from Ohio and one of the Service Academies – Army, Navy or Air Force.  Each year, the game will take place over Labor Day weekend at Cleveland Browns Stadium; the 2007 date is September 1^st.  Surrounding the football game will be patriotic, civic events, including a tailgate, Cleveland Firefighters vs. Cleveland Police flag football pre-game match and spectacular halftime show.  Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. 

The Patriot Bowl will be the season opener for both the Akron Zips and Army Black Knights and will serve as the Zips home game.    

“We’re excited about the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Patriot Bowl,” said Army Director of Athletics, Kevin Anderson.  “It’s always a thrill being a part of a tremendous event the first time it is held and we feel very strongly that the Patriot Bowl will be a highly popular event with the people here in this great city of Cleveland.  We view this as an outstanding opportunity to showcase our institution and our cadet-athletes on a national forum.” 

The winner of the Patriot Bowl will walk away with the “Cleary Trophy” named for Michael Cleary, long-time Executive Director of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in recognition of his lasting service to the Cleveland community, collegiate athletics and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

“If past events put on by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is a barometer, the Patriot Bowl will be a success and a great experience for the teams and fans,” said Akron athletics director Mack Rhoades. “Not only do we have the opportunity to face a storied program like Army, but we are proud to represent the Mid-American conference in this game. This event will be first class, gives our fans a great environment to participate in a number of game-day activities and gives our student-athletes the opportunity to play in Browns Stadium, which is one of the finest venues around.”

The Patriot Bowl will be guided and enhanced by a Local Organizing (Steering) Committee comprised of individuals dedicated to planning a spectacular event.  Many of these individuals are high-level business and civic leaders with a connection to military service, military academies and MAC schools.  This group will utilize its experience, influence and resources to ensure success and significant community-wide promotion and marketing will surround this event.

Tickets go on-sale to the general public May 14, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. (EST). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster: online at www.ticketmaster.com, via phone at 216.241.5555 or at Ticketmaster locations (Macy’s and select Giant Eagle stores).

Ticket prices for the game are $45 for mid-field lower level seating, $30 for lower level seating between the end zone and 30-yard lines, and $20 for the lower level corners and lower west end zone.  ADA seating is available in each price category.  The Cleveland Browns welcome Visa cards.     

Expected attendance is 30,000+ based on average attendance at Army away and neutral-site games (averaged 47,836 in seven road and neutral-site games in 2006; these games included no significant community marketing), as well as Akron’s close proximity to Cleveland and the tremendous support already demonstrated with the MAC basketball championships at Quicken Loans Arena.

Sponsors for the event include First Merit Bank, title sponsor for three years (2007, 2008 and 2009) and the U.S. Army.  A portion of the proceeds from the event will be used to establish the Patriot Fund at First Merit Bank, which will serve to assist local military families in need.

“First Merit is honored to be the title sponsor for the first annual Patriot Bowl.  We are committed to supporting the communities we serve and proud to celebrate football in Ohio,” says Julie Anne Robbins, Executive VP, Retail Banking.      

For more information, visit www.patriotbowl.com, or contact the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission at 216.621.0600.        

The mission of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland community by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities.