The Dream Bowl is an independently operated annual post-season college football all-star game and showcase, played on Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend to celebrate his legacy and to follow after this iconic "I Have a Dream" speech since 2013. The game showcases NFL draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and lower divisions.[2]

Dream Bowl
StadiumLobo Stadium[1]
LocationLittle Elm, Texas
Previous stadiumsSalem Football Stadium (2016–2023)
Previous locationsRoanoke, Virginia (2016–2023)
Operated2013–present
Sponsors
Cutting Edge Sports Management

History

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The Dream Bowl was first played in 2013 in Roanoke, Virginia.[3] The game is organized by Cutting Edge Sports Management, who operate the game independently. The game and the associated scouting combine provide opportunity for players from smaller colleges to get exposure with scouts from various professional leagues, including the NFL, CFL, XFL and Europe.[4]

HBCU Spirit of America Bowl

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In 2017 the "Dream Bowl" added a HBCU dedicated all-star game called HBCU Spirit of America Bowl[5] and featured Historically Black Colleges and Universities which was played a day before.[6][7] The game was cancelled in 2022.

Alumni

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The game have sent multiple alumni to pro leagues since its inception, including: Tremon Smith, Jylan Ware, Michael Jones, Chester Rogers and Thomas Ives.[8]

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References

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  1. ^ "Hotel and Stadium". Dream Bowl.
  2. ^ "College bowl games attract NFL hopefuls, large crowds to Roanoke". WFXR.
  3. ^ "'Dream' Scenario - News, Sports, Jobs - Post Journal". Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Redmond and Meints compete in the Dream Bowl". The Simpsonian.
  5. ^ "HBCU Spirit of America Bowl". HBCUconnect.com.
  6. ^ "Giovanni Lugo named HBCU Spirit of America Bowl MVP". Savannah State.
  7. ^ "Three Bears To Participate In HBCU Spirit of America Bowl Game This Weekend". CIAA.
  8. ^ "Dream Bowl Alumni With Pro Shots!". Dream Bowl.