David Drucker/Contributing Writer
Via a press release, The University has announced a six-year partnership with the Orange Bowl Committee for the use of Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium for the Orange Bowl Youth Football Championships presented by Sports Authority.
“We are very pleased to continuing playing the Orange Bowl Youth Football League Championships presented by Sports Authority at FIU,” Orange Bowl Committee Chief Executive Officer Eric Poms said. “It’s exciting for the youth of South Florida to have the experience of playing in an FBS Stadium such as Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.”
The partnership began with this season’s two-day championships on Dec. 13 and 14. The competition invites the champions of the association’s different football leagues from around South Florida to play against one another and crown an ultimate winner in eight different weight classes.
“The Orange Bowl has made a significant impact on youth sports across the South Florida community over the past 15 years,” FIU Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment Pete Garcia said. “It’s great to be a part of that impact as the host site for the youth football championships over the next six years. Having hosted the event in the past, Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium is a perfect venue to showcase some of the area’s top young talent.”
The Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance (Orange Bowl YFA) includes over four competitive leagues and six recreational leagues. In the recreational leagues, all children are given the opportunity to play football as long as they live in South Florida. The competitive leagues give young athletes a chance to compete at a high level and network. Some of these players go on to have successful careers in football, such as New York Jets quarterback and former Orange Bowl YFA participant Geno Smith. Now, rising athletes from Lake Okeechobee to Key West will have the opportunity to play in a Division I facility before they enroll at a university.
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