BAHAMAS BOWL TEAMS ARRIVE

Before they score touchdowns at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium on Friday, the two teams competing in the fourth Bahamas Bowl touched down in Nassau, officially kicking off Bahamas Bowl Week.Players from the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) Blazers of Conference USA and the Ohio University Bobcats of the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) were all smiles when they arrived at Atlantis Paradise Island on Monday.

 With family and friends in tow, the large delegation began to settle in and players were happy to tell other guests that they were participating in the game on Friday, December 22.

 The coaches said the teams couldn’t contain their enthusiasm.

 “I’ve been lucky enough to be here before and know exactly how well they’re going to treat us. My players on the other hand have not, so there was a lot of hollering and hooping. They’re just really excited. There was a lot of work went into bringing this thing back, for those guys and these coaches to get rewarded in this way, it really couldn’t get much better,” UAB Head Coach Bill Clark said.

 Meanwhile, Ohio University Head Coach Frank Solich said not only have players been looking forward to coming to The Bahamas for the game, but friends and family as well.

 “Our players, our staff, our families have really looked forward to getting on the plane and getting down here. It was an enjoyable trip. I’ve been down here a couple times previously. The people are great – it’s a very hospitable place. I think the bowl itself has grown. I think Bahamas Bowl are doing a great job, and all those people who are involved in putting the bowl on are super and doing a great job. We expect to have a good time and play some good football at the end of it,” Solich said.

Many of the players of both teams have never been to The Islands Of The Bahamas and said they were mesmerized by the destination.

Ohio tight end Troy Mangen is no stranger to bowl games, but he said the Bahamas Bowl is special. 

“This place is awesome and cooler than any other place I’ve ever been and it’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re excited to play another game and especially in a place like this. This is an experience I will never forget,” he said.

Kylan Nelson, who plays safety for the team, said he had the excitement of a child when he arrived.

“It was like I was five-years-old again. It’s just an honour and blessing to be here. We’re all excited to be here. I don’t think many of us have been out of the country before and so it’s just great to be here,” he said.

 Shaq Jones, UAB linebacker, said the entire team is excited to be in The Bahamas.

“This is my first time being here and I think that it is a beautiful place. It’s cold back in Alabama so it feels good to take off our coats and enjoy this weather,” he said.

UAB safety Jordan Petty had similar sentiments.

“It’s just great to cap our season off in The Bahamas. We’re here to play a football game and so we came to win but also we want to relax and look back and be able to reflect on what an awesome season we had,” he said.

“This is like a victory for us. We had our eyes on something big…to come to The Bahamas and end it is really sweet.”

On Thursday, the teams will visit the Ranfurly Home for Children and participate in a free Youth Clinic at the old Thomas A Robinson stadium at 3pm. Children ages 7 – 12 are welcome. 

Game day is filled with excitement as there will be a tailgate party beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the kickoff is at noon.

Tickets are available online at NSA-Bahamas.com or at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium’s box office.