There are many reasons to bring a national college football bowl game to St. Petersburg but they seem to all be negated by Tropicana Field’s sun-blocking roof.
That doesn’t seem to bother the coaches of Mississippi State and Miami University (of Ohio) who will be coaching their teams under the grey and air conditioned ceiling of the Trop in the ninth annual St. Petersburg Bowl on December 26, which kicks off at 11 a.m.
The press conference, held Dec. 7 under chilly and drizzling skies, featured Miami coach Chuck Martin and Mississippi Coach, Dan Mullen, joined by Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend and honorary chairman of the St. Petersburg Bowl, Mike Alstott.
According to Alstott, the St. Pete Bowl is about more than just football. Alstott and his foundation keep a tradition of bringing players and visiting All Children’s Hospital (now Johns Hopkin All Childrens Hospital) during the St. Pete Bowl week. This year, Alstott will visit on December 22.
“Just seeing those kids, even for a minute makes all the difference,” Alstott said.
Miami started the season off with six straight losses, but somehow managed to find themselves in a bowl game after finishing the season with an impressive 6-6 record and topping the Mid-American Conference along with Ohio University. Miami has the second-longest winning streak next to Alabama.
“This means everything for us, particularly where we’re at," Miami's Coach Martin said. "We haven’t had a winning season since 2012 and means an incredible amount for these seniors; they’ve been through football hell. I’m more proud of those kids than any kids I’ve coached in 25 years.”
Mississippi State of the Southeastern Conference ended their season with a 5-7 record, but found themselves in the St. Petersburg Bowl for a different reason.
“We let [the team] know there’s an outside chance, because of all the work you’ve done in the classroom, that you might get rewarded with a bowl game,” Mississippi coach Dan Mullen said. “The opportunity, not just to go to a bowl game, but to come to Florida and a beautiful city with unbelievable weather, there’s a lot of excitement.”
Despite playing the game indoors, the teams will have their share of outdoor activities.
Both sides will arrive in time for Player’s Day on December 23, and will spend the day at Busch Gardens. They'll celebrate Christmas Eve at the Madeira Beach Bash, which includes a belly flop contest — something both coaches eagerly await.
“We have a couple [players] on the D-line that could do it,” Coach Mullen said. “Maybe Nick James. He’s pretty of round.” Martin’s pick? “I’m going Sam Murrer. He’s goofy enough to volunteer himself."
Christmas Day will host the battle of the bands at the Sirata Beach Resort as well as the Bowl Block Party at Ferg’s. Tailgating starts at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26 and the game kicks off on ESPN at 11 a.m.
This article appears in Dec 15-22, 2016.