When the Terps take the field in a few hours, they will be closing a chapter in Humanitarian Bowl history.
The 12th annual game will be the sixth and final time an ACC team participates. The Humanitarian Bowl has signed a one-year contract to be the fourth bowl to select from the Mountain West Conference next year. It is seeking a long-term agreement with a west-based conference, according to bowl Executive Director Kevin McDonald.
After seven trips to Boise, the ACC has already assured its legacy in the bowl game will be a winning one. Right now, the ACC leads the WAC 4-2. But after Fresno State’s win against Georgia Tech last season, the Terps will try to avoid ending the ACC’s Humanitarian Bowl history on a losing streak.
McDonald described the situation as “gaining something and losing something.” The Humanitarian Bowl will miss bringing unique match-ups to Bronco Stadium’s blue turf, powered by East Coast teams that rarely venture to this part of the country. Fans have been treated to powerhouses like Miami, Clemson and Boston College in recent years.
But bringing in more local teams provides an opportunity to fill Bronco Stadium and promote more fans traveling into Boise. The honus has been on local fans to fill the stadium in the current set-up. More attractive regional match-ups could boost local sponsorship and corporate support.
The game has gotten a reputation as a consolation prize in the ACC because it is a cold weather site while most of the other ACC bowls involve more desirable tourist destinations. But the Humanitarian Bowl and the Boise-area have developed a reputation for being very hospitable and giving the teams a good experience, despite the lack of home-town fans coming to the game.
McDonald said he doesn’t see the partnership reuniting any time soon, but he has only fond memories of the ACC’s time at his bowl.
“I think we have a good relationship with the ACC and the bowl,” McDonald said. “They’ve come here seven years, and I think teams have come and had a great time. That’s going to be missed, but we’d love to have them back again sometime.”
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