College Bowl Game Bounty

College football bowl games began in 1916 and have increased in popularity and profitability ever year since. Bowl games are typically played between the middle of December and the Middle of January. An athletic accomplishment that few can boast of, playing in a bowl game can be its own reward but were you aware that wasn't the only reward? Bowl games these days are bigger and better. Rivalries are exaggerated and every aspect is marketed by sponsors. Those sponsors also provide some pretty good swag for the players. The bigger the bowl, the bigger the haul.

The smallest bowl is the New Orleans Bowl from which players receive a Balfour bowl ring, Balfour bowl watch and some Nike sportswear. Not too bad.

The players in the Poinsettia Bowl (TCU against Boise State) get to take home an iPod touch, Tommy Hilfiger bowl watch and a Best Buy gift certificate.

Upping the ante at the Capitol One bowl game the players from Georgia and Michigan get a team watch and a $400.00 Best Buy gift certificate in addition to a goody bag.

The odds are good in Vegas that you will be happy. That bowl game between BYU and Arizona is betting that the participants will enjoy their swag which includes a Wii system, bowl hat and Oakley watch.

Go Huskers! The Gator bowl (Nebraska -vs.- Clemson) will be happy to take home a pair of Thumps from Oakley which are electronic sunglasses (who knew?) , luggage set and a Boluva watch. Nebraska has the longest streak of bowl game attendance at 35 straight games. Go Huskers!

(Did I mention I was from Nebraska?)

The Independence bowl game will leave the players ready to roll with a new Trek mountain bike, Timely Co. watch, New Era hat and a souvenir football.

Making it to the Orange bowl leaves players with some juicy take homes. $300.00 worth of Sony Electronics, Tourneau watch, back pack and customized luggage tags.

As the importance of the bowl game increases the bounty does as well.

Players in the more publicized games need to leave room in their duffel bags for hats, clothes, commemorative footballs, game stations, iPods, watches, rings and gift certificates. They are making out pretty well indeed.

Florida plays Oklahoma in the National Title Game. They too receive $300.00 of Sony Electronics as well as New Era hats, Tourneau watch, Ogio duffel bag, customized luggage tags, Blockbuster Video gift subscription as well as BCS Championship customized Crocs. That is some pretty good loot for playing college football, well, except for the Crocs. If it was me I would just leave those behind in the hotel and leave with the stylish gifts and bowl game memories.

Go Huskers!

(Did I say that already?)