With the college football season upon us, fans of the gridiron can check out the nation’s top teams on television every Saturday. However, on Saturday, Oct. 4, fans will have an opportunity to see two national-level colleges do battle on a local stage, as Navy faces Cornell in the fourth annual Adirondack Trust Allegiance Bowl Sprint Football game at Saratoga Springs High School.
The Adirondack Trust Company is the event’s primary sponsor, and proceeds from the event benefit numerous area charities.
Sprint Football is a game featuring the same rules as the standard sport, with the one exception — each player must weigh less than 172 pounds.
This year’s game will pit the 2006 and 2007 Collegiate Sprint Football League champions against each other, and is a crucial game in the 2008 season. Along with Navy and Cornell, the league also features teams fielded by Army, Princeton, Penn, and a new team for 2008, Mansfield College.
The Allegiance Bowl was founded by Saratoga Springs-based attorney S. Scott Perkins, who gained an interest in Sprint Football in the 1970s when his brother played for Army as a defensive tackle. After his brother’s death, Perkins formed a committee in 1999 to bring a game to the Saratoga area, finally succeeding in 2005 when Army needed a stadium to play in while their West Point facilities were under repair.
The game has grown in popularity each year, and in 2008 features former president and college football player Jimmy Carter as the honorary chair.
He played football at Army and also has a degree from Union College, said Perkins. `We’re honored to have him as our honorary chair.`
Sprint Football coaches said they enjoy playing in Saratoga Springs.
Head coach Maj. Jake Jenkins, USMC, and his Navy Midshipmen took on Army in last year’s contest, and were very happy with the experience.
`We were welcomed.` said Jenkins. `The atmosphere is great football weather, so it’s very fitting to play in that atmosphere, and it’s also one of the bigger crowds of the year.`
Cornell head coach Bart Tuccia said he is pleased to be back in Saratoga Springs after the Big Red previously competed in the 2006 game against Penn.
`It’s a great thing, how they conduct the entire weekend,` said Tuccia. `It ran very smoothly. It’s a great idea and great for the area.`
The game has grown in interest and attendance each year. Stewart’s Shops is creating an exclusive flavor of ice cream, Allegiance Bowl Sprint Mint, to be served in stores and at the game, and the Johnstown High School Marching Band will perform during the game’s halftime show.
Perkins said there aren’t plans to move the game out of the city any time soon.
`Saratoga offers world-class hospitality. I can think of no better place for this game, and if we grow, it will be in fan interest and community support` said Perkins. `The community turns out for this event.`
The pre-game festivities start at 11:45 a.m. at Saratoga Springs High School with kick-off scheduled for noon. Tickets are available for $5 in advance and $8 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free. In addition, a kick-off banquet will be held Friday, Oct. 3, at the Saratoga Springs City Center, with tickets available for $25. For information, contact the Allegiance Bowl Committee at 584-4191.“
