AF Reserve kicks off inaugural Celebration Bowl

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Park
  • 94th AW Public Affairs

The North Carolina A&T Aggies defeated the Alcorn State Braves to become the first ever Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl champions at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Dec. 19. 

 “You don’t get opportunities like this very often,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Haddad, Air Force Reserve Command vice commander. “The Air Force Reserve is definitely going to capitalize on the benefits of what we’ve done in this inaugural event. These are very exciting times for the Air Force, the Celebration Bowl, the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. We all benefit from this greatly.”

As a title sponsor for the bowl championship, the Air Force Reserve was able to reach a diverse audience with advertisements throughout the stadium. 
“Look around the stadium,” said Haddad. “Air Force Reserve is all over the place. It’s on the field. It’s on the scoreboard. It’s on the goal post. I’ve never heard Air Force Reserve mentioned so many times in my entire career. It’s awesome.”

With a crowd of 35,528 spectators – not including those watching from home thanks to ABC’s television coverage – it’s safe to say that the Air Force Reserve reached its target audience.

“The Air Force Reserve provides a vital service to our country,” said John Grant, Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl executive director. “We believe that [the Celebration Bowl] will provide the opportunity to bring that message to a much broader and more diverse audience to create a higher level of interest in being part of the Air Force Reserve.“

Diversity is a key facet of the recruiting strategy of the Air Force Reserve, said Maj. Gen. Stayce Harris, 22nd Air Force commander.  With a more diverse Air Force being mutually beneficial for the Air Force and the country, and today gave us the opportunity to reach an intended audience.

“There are so many benefits to being the title sponsor for the inaugural Celebration Bowl,” said Harris. “The first of which is the Air Force Reserve Command’s commitment to education and STEM, of which all HBCUs have great programs. And then being able to recognize and appreciate diversity and inclusion in our military because it makes us stronger as a nation. Lastly, I believe it allows us to recognize the plethora of leaders who have come from HBCUs that have served not only in the Air Force Reserve but in other branches as well.” 

There’s anticipation for the return of next year’s Celebration Bowl. 

“I think we’re going to benefit greatly from this opportunity,” said Haddad. “I hope it becomes an enduring relationship with the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.”