Salute to Veterans Bowl

College football games are often an expression of school spirit, athletic excellence, and competitive fervor, but some games have a deeper purpose: to honor individuals who have made profound sacrifices for their country. The Salute to Veterans Bowl is one such event that combines the excitement of college football with the recognition of the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces.

The Salute to Veterans Bowl is a postseason college football game that primarily honors military veterans and active duty service members. The game serves as a tribute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, providing a platform for communities and colleges to show their appreciation through a high-profile event.

While it is a relatively new addition to the college football landscape, the Salute to Veteran’s Bowl was given this new name by new sponsor IS4S, a Alabama-based government & military contractor after being known as the Camellia Bowl from 2014-2023. The bowl is typically held in December and serves as part of the growing roster of college football postseason matchups, offering another opportunity for teams to play in front of national audiences.

While many bowl games revolve around securing postseason rankings or conference titles, the Salute to Veterans Bowl is unique in that its focus is not only on the athletes competing on the field but also on those whose sacrifices extend far beyond the gridiron.

History of the Salute to Veterans Bowl

The Salute to Veterans Bowl was first held in 2018, with the aim of honoring military veterans and active-duty personnel in a way that incorporates both football and ceremony. The game was established as a way to bring attention to the ongoing need for recognition and support of those who have served in the U.S. military.

In addition to being a sporting event, the bowl game also serves as a way to raise awareness for veteran causes, including the need for veteran services, mental health support, and community reintegration programs. The game often includes various activities aimed at connecting veterans with one another and with the community, including veteran ceremonies, military flyovers, and other tributes.

Though still in its early years, the Salute to Veterans Bowl has quickly become a well-received event, not only for its quality of football but also for the honor and respect it affords those who have served in the armed forces.

Format and Structure of the Game

The Salute to Veterans Bowl follows the traditional format of most postseason college football games, with two competing teams facing off for the championship of their respective conferences or for a coveted postseason win. However, what sets it apart is the overarching theme of military tribute woven into every aspect of the event.

1. Team Selection and Participants

Teams invited to the Salute to Veterans Bowl typically come from various conferences across the NCAA, though the specific teams depend on the season’s performance. The selection criteria for the game are similar to other bowl games, with a focus on teams that have had successful seasons but may not have qualified for the more prominent playoff games. In many instances, these teams come from the Group of Five conferences, which are not part of the Power Five (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC) but still feature competitive and exciting football programs.

2. Game Location

The Salute to Veterans Bowl is usually hosted at a neutral-site stadium that can accommodate large crowds. These venues are selected not only for their football infrastructure but also for their ability to support large ceremonies and events related to military recognition. These stadiums often offer prime opportunities to honor veterans before, during, and after the game.

3. Pre-Game and In-Game Ceremonies

A key feature of the Salute to Veterans Bowl is the military-themed ceremonies that take place both before the game and during halftime. These include:

  • National Anthem Performances: The game often kicks off with a rendition of the U.S. National Anthem, sometimes accompanied by military honors such as a flyover or the presentation of colors.
  • Veteran Tributes: Special ceremonies are held to recognize and thank veterans for their service, sometimes involving a moment of silence, veteran speakers, or a salute to fallen soldiers.
  • Military Parades: Some games feature parades or marching bands representing various branches of the U.S. military.
  • Halftime Salutes: A key moment during the game, halftime features tributes to veterans and active-duty service members, with large screens showing images of soldiers and military operations.

These events serve to remind the players, fans, and participants that the significance of the game goes beyond athletic competition, underscoring the importance of recognizing and thanking veterans for their service.

4. Special Military Engagements

Beyond the game itself, the Salute to Veterans Bowl offers several opportunities for fans and attendees to engage with military history and heroes. These engagements include:

  • Military Reenactments or Displays: Exhibits on military history or demonstrations from active-duty service members showcasing military hardware.
  • Veteran Meet-and-Greets: Opportunities for fans to interact with veterans and hear their stories, fostering a greater sense of community.
  • Military Appreciation Events: Pre-game or post-game social gatherings where veterans can meet one another and share their experiences.

Impact and Significance of the Salute to Veterans Bowl

While many bowl games focus solely on the teams and their athletic achievements, the Salute to Veterans Bowl makes an intentional and important effort to give back to the military community. This bowl game has become a powerful platform to honor the brave individuals who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

1. Raising Awareness for Veterans’ Causes

One of the core missions of the Salute to Veterans Bowl is to raise awareness for veterans’ issues, such as mental health care, job assistance, homelessness, and reintegration into civilian life. Through partnerships with organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), and American Legion, the bowl helps to shine a light on the needs of veterans, encouraging fans to get involved or donate to causes that directly benefit military personnel and their families.

2. Fostering National Unity and Patriotism

The Salute to Veterans Bowl offers a unique opportunity for college football fans from diverse backgrounds to come together for a shared purpose: showing gratitude and respect for those who serve in the military. The event brings out the patriotic spirit in fans, uniting people from all walks of life in support of veterans and their families. This collective sense of pride and unity transcends the field, making the event a celebration of national values.

3. Engagement with Younger Audiences

For many young fans, the Salute to Veterans Bowl provides an introduction to the importance of military service and sacrifice. In a world where the military’s presence may not always be immediately visible, the bowl game serves as a bridge to understanding the role that armed forces play in preserving freedom and security. College students and younger fans attending the game get an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans and potentially engage with organizations that support the military.

The Salute to Veterans Bowl: A Game of Gratitude and Purpose

The Salute to Veterans Bowl is more than just a college football game; it is a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Through its combination of athletic competition, military honors, and social awareness, the game serves as an important cultural event that highlights the sacrifices of veterans while providing a platform for raising awareness of the ongoing needs of the military community.

By honoring those who protect the freedoms we hold dear, the Salute to Veterans Bowl reminds us of the larger picture—the importance of showing gratitude to veterans, the enduring power of sports to unite communities, and the shared responsibility of ensuring that those who serve in the military are never forgotten.

The Salute to Veterans Bowl may be just one game in the larger college football season, but it stands as a powerful example of how sports can be used to honor those who have given so much for the nation.

 

Past Camellia Bowl teams & scores:

  • 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl – S. Alabama 30 – W. Michigan 23 – Dec. 14, 2024
  • 2023 Camellia Bowl – Northern Illinois 21 – Arkansas State 19 – December 23, 2023
  • 2022 Camellia Bowl – Buffalo 23 – Georgia Souther 21 – December 27, 2022
  • 2021 Camellia Bowl – Georgia State 51 – Ball State 20 – December 25, 2021
  • 2020 Camellia Bowl – Buffalo 17 – Marshall 10 – December 25, 2020
  • 2019 Camellia Bowl – Arkansas State 34 – FIU 26 – December 21, 2019
  • 2018 Camellia Bowl – Georgia Southern 23 – Eastern Michigan 21 – Dec. 15, 2018
  • 2017 Camellia Bowl – Middle Tennessee 35 – Arkansas State 30 – Dec. 16, 2017
  • 2016 Camellia Bowl – Appalachian State 31 – Toledo 28 – December 17, 2016
  • 2015 Camellia Bowl – Appalachian State 31 – Ohio 29 – December 19, 2015
  • 2014 Camellia Bowl – Bowling Green 33 – South Alabama 28 – December 20, 2014