SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl will return to San Diego this winter for the first time since 2016, it was announced Thursday.
The 13th SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl will kick off Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 4:30 p.m. at Snapdragon Stadium and will air on the CW Network. It will feature a matchup featuring the Pac-12 against a Power 4 opponent from the ACC, Big Ten or Big 12 conferences.
"We are proud to return as the title sponsor of the SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl and continue a partnership that brings our community together and creates a tremendous economic impact throughout the region," said Teresa Campbell, SDCCU president and CEO. "As a credit union we believe in investing in the people and organizations that help our region thrive, and this partnership allows us to support our local economy while creating a positive impact that extends well beyond the game."
The bowl began a brief run in the 1950s in Balboa Stadium -- home of the San Diego High School Cavers -- as a military exhibition bowl before ending in 1955. SDCCU was the title sponsor when the Poinsettia Bowl returned in 2005 as an NCAA athletic bowl. The final game before Thursday's news was played in 2016 in San Diego Stadium and featured the Brigham Young University Cougars beating the Wyoming Cowboys 24-21.
San Diego State University has appeared in the game three times, with a 1-2 record. Some star players who won either offensive or defensive MVPs were NFL quarterback Andy Dalton and SDSU player and Super Bowl-winning running back Ronnie Hillman.
"We're thrilled to bring back the SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl," said Mark Neville, CEO of Sports San Diego. "SDCCU has been an incredible partner to Sports San Diego for many years and having them lead this comeback means everything to us. This game holds a special place in our community, and we can't wait for its return at Snapdragon Stadium this December."
Tickets will first be available to annual Holiday Bowl ticket holders, followed by an exclusive presale for SDCCU members before tickets go on sale to the general public in September.
"The CW continues to build on our biggest college football season ever with the addition of the SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl and the Holiday Bowl," said Mike Perman, senior vice president of CW Sports. "Our broadcast of the Arizona Bowl has been a huge success over the last three seasons, and we look forward to collaborating alongside Sports San Diego to bring two more premier college football bowl games to a national audience."
— City News Service
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