MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama formally accepted an invitation Wednesday to play in the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, the first bowl appearance in the history of the Jaguars’ football program.
South Alabama will play Saturday, Dec. 20, in Montgomery, with kickoff set for 8:15 p.m. Central. The Jaguars’ opponent will come from the Mid-American Conference and is expected to be announced later this week or this weekend.
A Ceremony at the Mitchell Center
Johnny Williams, executive director of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, extended the invitation during a ceremony in the John Counts Room at the Mitchell Center. University of South Alabama President Dr. Tony Waldrop accepted on the school’s behalf, joined by Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann, head coach Joey Jones, Student Government Association President Danielle Watson, players, fans and supporters.
“We’re extremely excited that South Alabama will play the first bowl game in school history at the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl,” Williams said. “This is a historic moment being the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl’s first game and the University of South Alabama first bowl appearance.”
A Quick Path to the Postseason
The bowl trip comes in South Alabama’s sixth season of football and its second as a full Football Bowl Subdivision member eligible for postseason play. The program began play in 2009 under Jones.
According to the university, the Jaguars reached their first bowl faster than any program in history, surpassing former Sun Belt Conference member Florida Atlantic, which earned its first bowl invitation in its seventh season and its third as an FBS member.
Waldrop said the game would matter beyond the football program.
“Certainly on behalf of the board of trustees, the faculty, staff and students, all of the athletic department staff, but more importantly, on behalf of the coaches and players, we enthusiastically are honored to be part of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl,” Waldrop said. “The importance of this bowl game is great, obviously for the football team and all the fans, but it’s also great for the student life here. What an accomplishment: after just six years of having a football program, we’re going to a bowl game.”
Jones: “It’s Really All About the Players”
Jones thanked ESPN and the bowl for the invitation and noted that South Alabama had been bowl eligible a year ago without receiving a bid.
“I know it will be a great event for both teams — we’re looking forward to participating in it,” Jones said. “Last year, we became bowl eligible, but didn’t quite get in. This year, we became bowl eligible and got in.”
Jones told the audience he might become emotional and paused to compose himself before continuing.
“I’m so proud of our players and the sacrifices they’ve made to have this moment,” he said. “My heart goes out to them, it’s really all about the players. These guys have four or five years to play and I want to make it as special as I can for them, because these guys have made it special for me. I really appreciate what they’ve done to get us here.”
“Mission: Montgomery”
Erdmann called the invitation “indescribably exciting and tremendously rewarding” and credited Jones, the players and the coaching and support staffs.
He introduced a campaign the athletics department has named “Mission: Montgomery.”
“We are all one team, we are all one family, we represent this university and our community,” Erdmann said. “The team and the coaches have a certain role; that’s to practice, to compete and to win. We, the ones not on the team, have a different role, and that’s to support them and drive that engine.”
“Mission: Montgomery has three basic goals: buy tickets, travel to Montgomery and rally around the team,” he said.
Tickets and Student Travel
Tickets cost $25 and are being sold through the South Alabama ticket office. Jaguar Athletic Fund donors and South Alabama season ticket holders have an exclusive purchase window from 8 a.m. Thursday through the end of the day Monday. Sales to the general public begin Tuesday if tickets remain. Seat locations will be assigned using JAG priority points, and buyers will be notified when tickets are ready for pickup.
Current South Alabama students with a valid ID can get tickets at no cost. The university has pledged to purchase 1,000 tickets for students, with more to be bought if needed and available, and will provide 20 buses to carry students to and from Montgomery.
