News and Updates

The Cardinals and Knights began their day at All Children’s Hospital, a pediatric treatment center located in St. Petersburg. Players, cheerleaders, and mascots for both teams were inattendance along with former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott, the honorarychairman of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl. Alstott and his family have spent the past 18 years visiting the All Children’s Hospital and this is the fifth year that the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl has come to the hospital. With the bowl game on everyone’s mind this week, it is important that these players take a step back and realize the effect they can have not only on the field, but off the field as well. As student athletes, these young men serve as role models and their presence at All Children’s Hospital made a world of difference for these kids and their families, especially during the holiday season.

Kickoff Luncheon: 

It was another beautiful day in sunny Florida as the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg hosted its kickoff luncheon at the historicRenaissance Vinoy in St. Petersburg. The event brought together both teams to highligt their achievements during the 2012 college football season. The festivities included opening remarks from the Master of Ceremonies Dave Reynolds, highlights of bowl week and head coach’s remarks from Ball State’s Pete Lembo and UCF’s George O’Leary, who are both anxious to take the field tomorrow night at Tropicana Field. Ball State Athletic Director Bill Scholl and UCF Athletic DirectorTodd Stansbury also spoke on the accomplishments of their teams. The keynote speaker was former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who talked to players about the challenges of life and the game.

Pete Lembo, Ball State Head Coach   

“We are excited to be here. It’s been a great season for our team, we’ve been grinding every week. Our kids are excited about this opportunity; many have not been to a bowl game before so this has been a great week. The hospitality has just been phenomenal and now we are closing in on kickoff and that’s what it is all about.”

George O’Leary, UCF Head Coach   

“It’s been a great week. I think the bowl committee has done a great job with the players and the coaches and the fans that were here, it was well organized.”

Battle of the Bands:

Ball State and UCF fans, bands, cheerleaders, and mascots met on St. Pete Beach outside the Sirata Beach Resort and Conference center for fun and festivities under the sun. The bands of both teams battled back-and-forth on the sand. The bands started off with their schools theme song and then branched off and played songs such as Outkast’s “Hey Ya” and Fun’s “We are Young.” Among the spectators were students,\parents of the players, and some passers by. In the crowd was first-time Florida visitor Laura Langille from Canada. “This is honestly like nothing I’ve ever seen,” said Langille. “This is school spirit at its finest.” The Cardinals and Knights cheerleaders then competed in a tug-o-war. Finally, the bands headed over to the Coconut Pavilion for a corn fritter eating contest. Ball State won by eating over 60 corn fritters.  

Block Party:  

Fans spent the eve of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg at Ferg’s Sports Bar in downtown St. Petersburg for the Bowl Block Party. The teams’ bands, cheerleaders, and mascots were all present for the night’s festivities. Spectators came out for live bands, interactive games, displays, bowl tickets and merchandise, which were all made available. The UCF and Ball State coaches shows were broadcasted for fans and while everyone was in good spirits, the rivalry between the teams could be sensed among the crowd.

What’s Happening —  on Friday, Dec. 21

Weather Forecast:

Hi:  70

Lo:  48

Sunny

Fan Tailgate Extravaganza:

2:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Fans of Ball State and UCF are invited to gather at the Tropicana Field interactive game day area. Lot 7A will be filled with entertainment for fans of all ages to come out in their game day attire for a day of festivities leading up to the big game. Food and beverage will be available to purchase and the event is free to the public.

2012 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl Game Day Details:

Ball State and UCF will take Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at 7:30 p.m. for the highly anticipated 2012 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg.

Stadium Ticket Office opens at 9:00 a.m.

Parking Lots open at 1:30 p.m.

Media Will Call opens at 4:30 p.m. Stadium Gates open at 5:30 p.m.