Celebration Bowl promotes leadership, heritage and opportunity

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Intense and exhilarating are words some of the 31,096 spectators used to describe the second Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Dec. 17 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Southwestern Athletic Conference champions Grambling State University defeated North Carolina Central University, champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, 10-9 to win the first game of this year’s college bowl season.

The Air Force Reserve has served as the title sponsor of the bowl game since its inception in 2015. Its commercials and advertisements before and during the game reached a broad national audience.

The expanded reach from attendees of the game, viewers of ABC’s live broadcast, consumers of ESPN’s coverage and perusers of social media allowed an opportunity to showcase the more than 70,000 Citizen Airmen who are part of the communities they serve. They study in colleges and universities, support local community programs, maintain civilian careers, and make an impact each and every day.

“The Air Force Reserve believes inclusion inspires excellence,” said Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command. “We’re here to honor the legacy of our culture of diversity.

“The fusion of our varied and rich cultures generates a resilient force for freedom and forges a unique bond between the Reserve, families and communities,” she said.

The diversity and inclusion Miller referred to was reflected in various events leading up to and including game day from not Conly the SWAC and MEAC coaches and players, but also their supporters.



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