by Staff
Over a thousand people are expected to attend the Gator Bowl’s annual Hall of Fame luncheon at noon today at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. It would be a luncheon record.
The big turnout, several hundred more than usual, is attributed to the enthusiasm of fans of the competing teams, particularly those from West Virginia. That school’s followers have accounted for over 25,000 game tickets and bought a sizable number for the luncheon, too.
The annual luncheon will include squads from both teams — Maryland is the other — and the program includes a short speech from each head coach.
Being inducted into the bowl’s Hall of Fame are former Jacksonville insurance executive Ash Verlander, a past Gator Bowl Association president; and two players who participated in the game, Rodney Hampton of Georgia and Donnie Anderson of Texas Tech.
The West Virginia turnout has also assured the bowl of a second straight sellout following last year’s Notre Dame-N.C. State game.
And it will be the second straight year that West Virginia has been part of the bowl with the largest attendance, other than the so-called Bowl Championship Series events which feature the nation’s eight best teams. The Mountaineer fans helped put over 73,000 in Charlotte’s bowl last year and around 80,000 are expected for the Gator Bowl on Thursday.