Why We Need a “Boca” Buy-In For FAU Football

By: Jon Carter

There is one day that reigns far superior in the college calendar, Saturdays.

We have all heard the term “Saturdays are for the boys,” and I’m sure the ladies say something too, but we all know why it’s the greatest day. College Football.

Across America, you can smell burgers on a grill, see a football being thrown and pledges setting up tents. The tailgate has begun. Tailgating by far has been the best part of the “college experience” for me, and there is no better way to spend time before a football game then partaking in a tailgate.

Boca Raton is a vibrant city due to its rapid growth from FAU and the academic triangle, which has allowed Boca to flourish by attracting major corporations who are seeking an educated workforce. With low taxes and safe neighborhoods, what more could you possibly ask for from a city? I have just one more request: a major sports team.

Seeing as that won’t happen, the Florida Atlantic Owls will have to do.

With a newer stadium built in 2011 that seats 29,000 comfortably, Head Coach Lane Kiffin leading the Owls to their first conference championship and first bowl game win in over a decade, the Owls are only missing one thing: a winning atmosphere. It’s rare that a team gets to play a bowl game in their own stadium, after a fairytale season. For only a handful of people to be in attendance throughout the season was shameful. This blame, of course, is shared by the students (home games are free) and the community.

FAU is the home team. I don’t care where you went to school or what flag waves in front of your house, we are all Owls when they play in Boca.

Did you know that Boca Raton is one of only 35 communities in the country that hosts a NCAA FBS sanctioned bowl game? The Cherribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl airs on ESPN and has a direct spending impact of $5.6 million and a total economic impact of $10.4 million for our region.

Folks, I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you to know we are sitting on a cash crop. FAU alone this season was featured on two ESPN primetime games. Businesses should be taking advantage of capitalizing on fans with exclusive offers and we should be hosting pre-game concerts in Mizner, with shuttles to the game. Imagine a city that is covered in red and blue for every home game with a packed stadium cheering on Boca Raton’s largest sports franchise.

FAU is here to stay, the Owls are only getting better, so grab a beer and we will see you at the game!