Over the weekend, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl officially announced its invitees for the 2010 game...Florida State University and West Virginia University.  Sure, there had been rumors floating about this legendary match up for a week and I was excited at the possibility.  

This won't be just any Gator Bowl.  This will be the last time that college football icon, Bobby Bowden coaches on the field and it will be between the team he has coached for over 30 years and the team he coached for years beforehand. In fact, Coach Bowden has coached both teams in this historic game many times. 

Leading up to the announcement, I was reminded of a time when I got to meet Coach Bowden.  Prior to another Jacksonville victory for the coach, the 2008 River City Showdown, I headed to Tally to meet with the man who would change college football to talk to him about the upcoming game, past memories of the Gator Bowl and his thoughts on Jacksonville.  It was quite an experience and one I'll never forget.

Determined not to get tongue-tied, Coach greeted me with a smile and a "Hello, Sugah" in that Southern drawl of his.  He made the crew and me feel right at home and even signed an autographed picture of himself and my friend, Wade, taken at an event in DC about eight years ago.

We talked about his Seminoles and college football memories.  We also talked about his love of playing in Jacksonville...a site where he has had many wins and experiences. And as he left, he squeezed my hand and said, "thank you, Darlin'"...ever the Southern gentleman. 

For Coach, I'm happy he'll get to play one last time in Jacksonville, his second favorite home (Doak being the first).  It will be one game that Seminole fans, Mountaineer fans and college football fans in general will remember for a long time.

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will be played on New Year's Day in Jacksonville Municipal stadium.  For tickets, visit the Gator Bowl Web site.