Camping World Bowl Becomes Cheez-It Bowl

Image via Florida Citrus Sports

Image via Florida Citrus Sports

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. and Orlando, Fla., May 27, 2020 – Cheez-It®, the official snack of bowl season, announced it is moving east to become title sponsor of the Cheez-It® Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The move kicks off a multi-year agreement between Florida Citrus Sports (FCS) and Cheez-It, brokered by Denver-based Impression Sports & Entertainment.

Image via Sports Marketing Perspective

Image via Sports Marketing Perspective

The game, most recently known as the Camping World Bowl, will continue to feature top teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference or Notre Dame and the Big 12 Conference in late December each year. The Cheez-It Bowl airs on ESPN.

In its third season as an NCAA college football bowl game sponsor and official sponsor of the College Football Playoff, Cheez-It is underscoring its commitment to the sport and its fan base. Coined the “cheesiest bowl game in history” (in the best way possible), the original Cheez-It Bowl premiered in 2018 with the Fiesta Bowl Organization in Phoenix. The brand’s move to Orlando means Cheez-It will entitle one of just three games regularly featuring top picks from Power 5 conferences (outside of the New Year’s Six bowls).

Cheez-It is a go-to snacking tradition for football fans and cheese-lovers – especially those who can’t get enough of that uniquely cheesy and crunchy experience,” said Jeff Delonis, Senior Director of Marketing for Cheez-It. “Our preceding bowl game sponsorship with the Fiesta Bowl Organization helped solidify Cheez-It as a staple in the college football postseason.  Now we’re excited to turn to the next page and build our bowl-season tradition further through our new partnership with Florida Citrus Sports and the world-class destination of Orlando.”

The fully integrated partnership includes exclusive naming rights, digital and social media content, in-stadium exposure, product sampling, on-site activation at the game and other FCS organization events, as well as a redesigned Cheez-It Bowl logo.

“We’re proud to partner with Cheez-It, one of the boldest and most creative sponsors in college football,” said Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports. “Their commitment to creating an uncommon experience will add new flavor to ‘the best bowl trip in America’ here in Orlando. We’re excited about the impact that bowl season’s official snack will bring to our community.”

This year’s Cheez-It Bowl will be the 31st edition of the game, and its 20th in Orlando. Since relocating to Central Florida in 2001, the game has developed into one of the nation’s top postseason contests.

The 2019 edition of the game featuring Notre Dame and Iowa State boasted a total live audience of more than 4.7 million viewers and was the fourth-most-watched game outside of the New Year’s Six. ESPN retains the exclusive right to televise the game on ESPN or ABC.

Be sure to follow Cheez-It on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and stay tuned for more bowl-specific updates later this year.

ABOUT KELLOGG COMPANY

At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), we strive to enrich and delight the world through foods and brands that matter. Our beloved brands include Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Special K®, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Eggo®, Mini-Wheats®, Kashi®, RXBAR®, MorningStar Farms® and more. Net sales in 2019 were approximately $13.6 billion, comprised principally of snacks and convenience foods like cereal and frozen foods. Kellogg brands are beloved in markets around the world. We are also a company with Heart & Soul, committed to creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030 through our Kellogg’s® Better Days global purpose platform. Visit www.KelloggCompany.com or www.OpenforBreakfast.com.

ABOUT FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS

Florida Citrus Sports is a not-for-profit event management organization dedicated to positively impacting the Orlando region while enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida through world-class events.

ABOUT IMPRESSION SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Impression Sports & Entertainment specializes in providing clients with full-service sponsorship sales representation, sponsorship consulting and venue naming rights services. Founded in 2011, Impression Sports has established itself as one of the leading firms in the industry by working with top brands, including Premier Boxing Champions, University of Colorado, USC, the San Antonio Spurs, Auburn University, the Fiesta Bowl organization, USA Swimming and ESPN Events among others. Its management team provides in-depth experience and results-driven success in venue naming rights, title sponsorships and high-profile sales and sponsorship platforms.

Notre Dame Runs a Clinic Against the Cyclones in Camping World

Attendance at the 2019 Camping World Bowl totals 46,948. This is the highest attendance number since 2016.

Attendance at the 2019 Camping World Bowl totals 46,948. This is the highest attendance number since 2016.

The 2019 Camping World Bowl in Orlando, FL. saw quick action between the Norte Dame Fighting Irish and the Iowa State Cyclones. Thanks to two fumbles by the Iowa State offense, the Fighting Irish would quickly gain momentum putting 10 points on the board and holding the Cyclones to zero points in the 1st quarter. 

Camping World Bowl MVP, Chase Claypool catches the first TD of the game for Notre Dame.

Camping World Bowl MVP, Chase Claypool catches the first TD of the game for Notre Dame.

Led by quarterback Ian Book and wide receiver Chase Claypool, the Fighting Irish would continue their lead into halftime with 132 passing yards. RB Tony Jones Jr. would also lend 44 yards helping secure their halftime score over Iowa State 20-6.

Coming into the Camping World Bowl, both Notre Dame and Iowa State had impressive regular seasons. Iowa State put up 41 points against a CFP Oklahoma team, while Notre Dame kept their top 25 ranking, shutting teams out and holding opponents to just over 3 points per first quarter. Speaking on the ability of the defense, wide receiver Chase Claypool states, "we feed off of each other... the defense kept giving us good field position, good confidence because once we get a lead, we can start opening up our playbook a little bit." And opening up their playbook is exactly what Notre Dame did. 

In the opening five-and-a-half minutes of the second half, the Fighting Irish pushed for 116 yards on just five plays. One of those being an 84-yard touchdown run by RB Tony Jones Jr., the longest rushing play in Camping World Bowl history. The 84-yard run would be a career-long rush for Jones and the longest run in Notre Dame's program history since 2018 (Dexter Williams 97-yard rush at Virginia Tech). The 84-yard run is also the longest rush by a Notre Dame player in a bowl game. 

With history-making runs and record-setting defensive numbers, Notre Dame would continue to show their experience on offense and defense, leading them to a final score of 33-9 over the Iowa State Cyclones.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly conducts a post-game interview.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly conducts a post-game interview.

When speaking on the performance of Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish head coach, Brian Kelly, stated, "All three phases were outstanding today. When you hold an offense that put 40 points on a team that's playing in the playoffs in Oklahoma, to no touchdowns, you know, you can't hide from that." With a Camping World Bowl victory, Notre Dame improved to 11-2 on the season. And under Brian Kelly, Notre Dame is 33-0 when holding a halftime lead of 14 or more points.

"Anytime you win 11 games, that's an outstanding football season. Everybody measures it by, you know, there's only one team that can win a national championship. I can measure it by what our kids did at the end of the season, and that is, they got back up, they went out and competed and overcame adversity.", stated Coach Kelly in his post-game press conference. 

For many of the Notre Dame seniors, playing in the Camping World Bowl is the last time they will put on a Notre Dame uniform. But for the Fighting Irish football program, the sky is the limit when it comes to the potential of its on-the-field talent and their ability to drown out the noise and overcome adversity.

Camping World Bowl-7417.jpg

Key Game Notes:

  • With his performance, Clayool passed the 1,000-yard receiving mark on the season. In the first half, he posted 112 receiving yards on four catches (28.0-yard average), also marking his third game of the season totaling 100 or more receiving yards.

  • Claypool's 146-yard, seven-catch, the one-touchdown performance earned him Camping World Bowl MVP honors.

  • The Irish were 4-for-4 in the red zone on the day, On the season, Notre Dame was 51-of-55 in the red zone.

  • On the season, Notre Dame has recorded 19 total fumble recoveries, including the two in the 2019 Camping World Bowl, which leads the FBS in 2019.

  • Today's matchup also marked the first time Notre Dame has faced a Big 12 opponent in a bowl game.

  • Gameball recipient was Alohi Gilman

Gallery: Camping World Bowl

The Media Perspective: Central Florida Bowl Week

Image via Florida Citrus Sports

Image via Florida Citrus Sports

It's been a great week here in Central Florida for many sports fans and enthusiasts. Thanks to Florida Citrus Sports, the Sports Marketing Perspective team has the opportunity to cover the 2019-2020 Central Florida Bowl Week, highlighting some of the most significant sporting events in Orlando, Florida.

As credentialed media for the Camping World Bowl and Vrbo Citrus Bowl, we receive information and have the opportunity to attend many events that take place unknowingly to the public. Starting things off, all media members who apply for credentials receive email confirmations on their credential status. If you are approved, you will receive special instructions, itineraries, and more each day throughout the entire Bowl Week.

We have to give praise where praise is due. Florida Citrus Sports runs nothing less than professional and organized events. From a marketing and media standpoint, each event we attend, which is hosted by Florida Citrus Sports, has always shown the media respect. Regardless of your affiliation, whether you work for a big-time publication or you are working independently, Florida Citrus Sports lays down the red carpet for members of the media.

Bowl Week and Community Events

Image via Camping World Bowl

Image via Camping World Bowl

As a host city and host committee, you must involve the teams coming into your state and city within the community. Community involvement is essential to sustainability within the market and sports industry, and community involvement builds trust among local fans, consumers, businesses, and media outlets.

On Monday, December 23rd, both Iowa State and Notre Dame football teams arrived in Orlando for the Camping World Bowl. Upon arrival, both football teams were met by volunteers and fans and given bottles of orange juice as they stepped off the plane. If that isn't a warm Orange County greeting, I don't know what is. After their arrivals, each team would begin bowl game practices at the local Boone High School and Camping World Stadium. Throughout the week, Iowa State and Notre Dame would take part in many community events. Both teams would have specific times set aside for theme park visits, shopping sprees, Camping World Day for kids, and official Camping World Bowl pep rallies.

On Thursday, December 26th, Alabama and Michigan would arrive in Orlando for the Vrbo Citrus Bowl and be greeted with the same Central Florida welcome. Alabama and Michigan began their Bowl Week holding practices at the local Celebration and West Orange High Schools. Alabama and Michigan will also take part in many VIP gatherings, community and youth events, pep rallies, and more.

Bowl Week Video Links > Here

The Media Perspective

SPORTS-MARKETING-PERSPECTIVE-MEDIA-GUIDE-BOWL-WEEK.JPG

As members of the media, specifically members of sports media, our perspective narrates the story for fans, other media outlets, and general consumers. Cities and host committees understand the importance of positive narration from the media's point of view. A negative story about an event not only falls on the shoulders of those hosting an event, but it also falls on the culture surrounding the city, the teams, and the sport.

Knowing this, Florida Citrus Sports went above and beyond, making sure that members of the media are well informed throughout the entire week. Not only do we receive information via email, but the utilization of the Press Pass app also made getting updates a seamless process. The media hotel did a great job of providing working areas, and the availability and easy access to press conferences, practices, and media events via a free shuttle was a great touch. Not to mention, but we will say, the media hospitality room offered excellent food and snack options. Who doesn't love great food?

A bonus offering for all media covering the Camping World and Vrbo Citrus Bowls is the partnership with Lyft. Florida Citrus Sports partnered with Lyft giving all media a $25 Lyft credit to use throughout bowl week. Sports Marketing Media offices are in Orlando, Florida, however, being able to park and take a free Lyft ride across town to cover various events saved a lot of time and money.


Overall, the 2019-2020 Central Florida Bowl Week has been an excellent experience for the Sports Marketing Perspective team. We look forward to bringing you more content from the fields of the Camping World Bowl and Vrbo Citrus Bowl.

Make sure you follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes access, and a unique perspective from some of the greatest sporting events in the Central Florida area.


Special thanks to Florida Citrus Sports.

Camping World Bowl | Vrbo Citrus Bowl | Florida Citrus Sports

Camping World Bowl Photo Gallery > Here

Fun Facts: Camping World Bowl

Image via Florida Citrus Sports

Image via Florida Citrus Sports

This year, Sports Marketing Perspective will be covering The Camping World Bowl taking place on December 28, 2019, at noon. To kick things off, we wanted to share some fun facts ahead of the 2019 Camping World Bowl in Orlando, FL.

Fun Facts

Image via Camping World Bowl

Image via Camping World Bowl

  • Started in 1990

  • Originally titled the Blockbuster Bowl with a marquee matchup between Penn State and Florida State

  • The first game (1990) drew more than 74,000 fans

  • Over the last five years, the bowl has averaged just shy of 55,000 fans per game

  • Within the new College Football Playoff era, the bowl sees top matchups from the ACC outside of the CFP series against the second selection from the Big 12 outside of the CFP series.

  • The 2019 Camping World Bowl game will feature Notre Dame vs. Iowa State

Title Names

The Camping World Bowl has seen many title names since its inception in 1990. In early 2017, Camping World signed an agreement with Florida Citrus Sports to be the new title sponsor through 2020. Here is a list of past title names.

  • Blockbuster Bowl (Miami), 1990-1993

  • Carquest Bowl (Miami), 1994-1997

  • Micronpc Bowl (Miami), 1998-1999

  • Micronpc.com Bowl (Miami), 2000

  • Visit Florida Tangerine Bowl, 2001

  • Mazda Tangerine Bowl, 2002-2003

  • Champs Sports Bowl, 2004-2011

  • Russel Athletic Bowl, 2012-2016

  • Camping World Bowl, 2017-2019

For attendance numbers for each game, click here.

Camping World Bowl | Florida Citrus Sports

Social Media Handles:

Twitter: @CWBowl | Facebook: @campingworldbowl | Instagram: @citrussports

Stay tuned for more updates as we cover your 2019 Camping World Bowl from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL.