Military Bowl to provide memorable experience for local youth football players

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Building on its mission to give back to the community, the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman is providing a special and memorable game day experience for local youth.Through its partnership with the DC and Maryland Pop Warner Football Leagues, as well as select Virginia youth football clubs, the Military Bowl is offering a combined 2,500 complimentary tickets for youth football players to attend the East Carolina University vs. University of Maryland matchup December 29 at RFK Stadium. The Virginia clubs include youth players from the Ft. Belvoir Bulldogs, a team comprised of youth from military families.

Fresh off recent Pop Warner Super Bowl appearances in Florida, D.C.'s Beacon House Falcons and Watkins Hornets, and Maryland's Northeast Chargers (Baltimore) will join other youth at the Military Bowl to form a "Kids Tunnel" at each team's entrance onto the field. Other scheduled activities include a pre-game walk around the RFK Stadium field on game day and a presence at the Military Bowl Official Tailgate Party at the DC Armory.

This youth initiative is part of the bowl's ongoing grassroots effort to give local youth the opportunity to experience college football at the highest level.

"The Military Bowl is pleased to give local youth a chance to experience a college bowl game in an exciting and memorable way," said Marie Rudolph, Director of Teams and Special Events for the Military Bowl. "The youth football initiative has always been a core part of our bowl program, and we hope this experience will add additional motivation for them to reach their athletic goals."

Last Saturday, the Beacon House Falcons finished a perfect 16-0 and clinched the 2010 Pop Warner Division 1 Junior Pee Wee National Championship title with a 19-0 victory over the Liberty City (Fla.) Warriors in the Pop Warner Super Bowl. The Watkins Hornets (15-1), last year's Pop Warner National Champions, closed out the season as the national runners-up in the Junior Midget Division after losing to the Florida City Razorbacks in the championship game.

"DPR is extremely proud of the dedication and accomplishments of DC Pop Warner and especially the Beacon House Falcons and Watkins Hornets coaches, parents and youth," said Jesus Aguirre, Director, DC Department of Parks and Recreation. "It is through their hard work and achievements that many fantastic opportunities become available for them such as their participation with the 2010 Military Bowl. These teams inspire youth and parents on a local and national level."

The Northeast Chargers (16-0) captured the Midget Division II National Championship after posting a 24-22 victory over the Port St. Lucie (Fla.) Pirates.

""We couldn't be happier to have our players represented at the 2010 Military Bowl," said Charles Elliott, President of the Maryland Football and Cheer Association. "This is an excellent opportunity for them to see, firsthand, that their own dreams can become a reality. We are looking forward to a great time at this year's game."

For more information about the Military Bowl and the Military Bowl's Youth Football Program, please visit www.militarybowl.org .