Sports Media Report
GEICO returns for the second year as title sponsor of the State Champions Bowl Series. For the third time since 2014, this unique event will allow high school football champions from different states to play against each other in post-season bowl games to be televised live on ESPNU. The games will also be available via the ESPN App. Participating teams will play in a single game matchup, with a total of two games to take place at GCU Stadium at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. on Saturday, Dec. 23. Games will kick off at 6:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. EST. ESPN play-by-play commentator Kevin Brown and analyst Craig Haubert will call both games.
With its completion in August of 2016, GCU Stadium is home for the Grand Canyon men’s and women’s soccer programs, and is considered one of the country’s preeminent collegiate soccer stadiums. The GEICO State Champions Bowl Series will mark the first time the venue has hosted a football event. The state-of-the-art facility features seating capacity for more than 6,000 spectators and includes an academic wing underneath the stadium. At 41,852-square-feet, the stadium provides 3,000 shaded individual chairback seats and is located in the heart of GCU’s campus. The all-natural turf is surround by a 10-foot grass berm on three sides to house an additional 3,000 spectators, and is an ideal setting for this “Bowl Game” experience.
Currently the AIA (Arizona), FHSAA (Florida), GHSA (Georgia), MIAA (Maryland), UHSAA (Utah) and WIAA (Washington) have approved their member schools to participate in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series. Participating teams and match-ups will be announced in mid-December.
“The GEICO State Champions Bowl series provides ESPNU another avenue to present the next generation of college athletes on a national stage,” said Dan Margulis, ESPN Senior Director College and High School Sports Programming. “This event, created by Paragon Marketing Group, will cap what has been an exciting football season.” Paragon Marketing Group worked with GEICO to create this fan-friendly event that rewards State Champions for their excellence and celebrates high school football on a national level. “We thank the state associations for allowing their champions to participate, and look to expand the event in future years,” said Rashid Ghazi, Partner, Paragon Marketing Group.
“Grand Canyon University is thrilled to host the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series at GCU Stadium,” GCU Vice President of Athletics Mike Vaught said. “This event features some of the top high school football talent in the country for what will be incredible competition for the teams, fans, and those watching at home on ESPN. We have state-of-the-art facilities here at GCU, a great relationship with ESPN, and are excited to combine the two together for this marquee event.”
The GEICO State Champions Bowl Series took place previously in 2014 at Florida Atlantic University Stadium in Boca Raton, and in 2016 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Past GEICO State Champions Bowl Series Results:
2014 (FAU):
- Trinity Christian (FL) def. Eastside Catholic (WA) 35-21
- Miami Central (FL) def. Bothell (WA) 37-27
- Booker T. Washington (FL) def. Bingham (UT) 34-28
2016 (Ford Center at The Star):
- Chandler (AZ) def. Valdosta (GA) 44-24
- St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) def. Bingham (UT) 33-25
