Last week, my GT colleague Kim wrote about attending the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, featuring Syracuse (her Alma Mater) playing Kansas State.  It was the first year for this particular Bowl, one of 35 total NCAA football bowl games.

The amount of Bowl games is a somewhat controversial topic in the ever-changing world of collegiate athletics.  Many people say that so many games diminish the status of the National Championship Game, among other complaints. Usually, I am a traditionalist when it comes to things like this, but in this case I like the expansion.  With no offense to Syracuse or Kansas State, neither school is known for its football program.

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Still, over 38,000 people attended the game and each school collected a $2,000,000 payout.  Really, where is the harm?

Even the players like it.  It’s one more city to visit, one more game to play and hopefully one more “title” to claim. Alumni and fans of any collegiate team will travel, especially for big games.  This is good for the game site area, the school, the fans and the travel industry.

Just what is the downside . . . that these “extra” games are meaningless to some sports enthusiasts? Tell that to Boise, Idaho, home of the Humanitarian Bowl.  In December, Northern Illinois beat Fresno State.

More importantly, the 50 hotels in the Boise area had very high occupancy rates, according to the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Boise restaurants and shops also experienced an increase in business. Obviously there is a point of over-saturation, but I think there is room for at least one more game, the Global Traveler Bowl.  Perhaps this game would be played by the two teams who logged in the most miles traveling during the season.

— John Wroblewski, distribution specialist