GMAC Signs 4-year Pact To Sponsor GMAC Bowl
MOBILE, Ala. - The GMAC Bowl Committee today announced that GMAC Financial Services has agreed to be title sponsor for the NCAA collegiate bowl game held in this city through 2005.
"This kind of commitment only underscores the growing success of this bowl over the last three years," Mobile Mayor Michael Dow said as he joined GMAC Bowl officials in announcing the agreement with GMAC. "We pride ourselves in having developed an event that is far more than just a football game and this support from GMAC proves they have tremendous faith in our concept."
Hallmarks of the GMAC Bowl include camps for youth held in two states this year, reading program contests for elementary students and inclusion of thousands of youngsters at the game itself.
James Farmer, vice president of GMAC Merchandising, Advertising and Communications, characterized the bowl as much more than a "tremendous opportunity for GMAC to leverage its strength as a provider for a customer's multiple financial needs - vehicle financing, mortgages, insurance and real estate services." He called it "a chance to give back to the city of Mobile through so many worthwhile charitable channels. That's the best part of this relationship."
And, lucky for everyone involved and for the millions of football fans who watch the game on ESPN2 every year, the GMAC Bowl has delivered - since its 1999 debut -- some outstanding gridiron contests. That culminated in the 2001 Marshall University 64-61 overtime defeat of East Carolina - biggest score in NCAA collegiate bowl history.
"The game has been the sizzle, but the satisfaction comes in building an event with features that have the capacity to touch lives of youth who need that extra step up in life," said Jerry Silverstein, president of the GMAC Bowl. Farmer agreed, "By helping others, we help ourselves as well, both in the business and the human arena. It's a big part of what GMAC Financial Services is all about."
Terms of the multi-year agreement were not disclosed. It's expected that the 2002 opponents again will be representatives from Conference USA and either the Mid-American Conference or the Western Athletic Conference. The game is scheduled for Dec. 18 at Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium and will be televised nationally on ESPN2.