BLACK COLLEGE'S ONLY POST SEASON BOWL GAME-PIONEER BOWL RETURNS TO QUEEN CITY

Tucker, GA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) are bringing the only HBCU post-season football bowl game, the Pioneer Bowl, back to Charlotte, North Carolina on December 2, 2006, 1:00pm at the American Legion Memorial Stadium.

With the success of last year’s event in Charlotte, its first in a CIAA city, along with the unprecedented success of the CIAA Basketball Tournament, it was a given that Charlotte would, again, serve as the absolute host city for this pigskin challenge.

“We’re excited about the Pioneer Bowl remaining in Charlotte,” said CIAA Commissioner, Leon G. Kerry. “Obviously, after the success of the 2006 Tournament, we believe that Charlotte is an excellent place for us to bring more college sporting events.” In agreement, SIAC Commissioner, Dr. William E. Lide comments, “We are very pleased to be back in Charlotte, the city of Charlotte showed tremendous support of our efforts in this past year’s Pioneer Bowl. Charlotte, is a city that is very enthusiastic about sports and we are sure that Pioneer Bowl IX will be one to remember.”

One of the enhanced features of Pioneer Bowl IX is the “CIAA vs. SIAC Battle of the Bands.” This year’s competition will be held pre-game on December 2 at Memorial Stadium. The twist to this year’s event allows fans to visit www.PioneerBowl.com , beginning August 26th to place their vote weekly, for their favorite CIAA or SIAC marching band. At the end of the season, the top two bands with the most votes from the two respective conferences will receive an invitation to compete in the Battle of the Bands. The winner and runner-up will receive a monetary reward.

Ticket information, a listing of host hotels and surrounding Pioneer Bowl events will be available shortly on www.PioneerBowl.com.