Cornell to Meet Franklin Pierce in Allegiance Bowl

SARATOGA SPRINGS—Collegiate football returns to Saratoga Springs Saturday, September 21 when the Big Red of Cornell University take on the Ravens of Franklin Pierce University in the Adirondack Trust Allegiance Bowl. The charity game benefits the Saratoga Springs Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading and Taylor's Heroes youth programs with pre-game activities beginning at 12:45 p.m. and kick off at 1 p.m. The game will be held at the Saratoga Springs High School, West Avenue stadium. Widely regarded as the America's premier sprint football event, the Allegiance Bowl features a festive, bowl-game atmosphere with a vintage military aircraft flyover, skydiving exhibition, a cappella singers and a marching band half time show. To date, the event has raised over $60,000 for local youth programs. The Allegiance Bowl has been named a “Best Bet” by Saratoga.com and is an official Saratoga 150 celebratory event. Adirondack Trust president and board chair Charles V. Wait, a Cornell alumnus, has been named the bowl game's Honorary Chair. The game will also have special significance to the greater Saratoga Springs athletic community as it will be dedicated to long-time community youth volunteer and charter member of the Allegiance Bowl Committee, Barbara Chubb, who passed away last year. An on-field dedication ceremony in her memory will precede the kick off. Now in its ninth year, the annual family-friendly event features teams from the Collegiate Sprint Football league where no player may weigh more than 172 pounds. It is a quick, explosive brand of tackle football which has become popular nationwide. Weekend activities begin today with a team luncheon hosted by the VFW Post 420 and a banquet later that evening at the Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn where fans can meet players and coaches. Entertainment at the banquet will be provided by Skidmore College's Drastic Measures singing group and retired colonel Pat Kane, former garrison commander at West Point and a member of Army's undefeated 1972 sprint football team, will serve as the keynote speaker. Organizing committee chair Scott Perkins is excited about the Cornell and Pierce matchup, as Cornell sneaked out a fourth quarter, 26-21 victory against the Ravens last year and the teams appear to be gearing up for this rematch. “Cornell has appeared twice before in the Allegiance Bowl and they know what to expect,” Perkins said. "Pierce might be new to the league, but they are playing like veterans. I have spoken to both coaches and their players have been preparing for the Allegiance Bowl for months," he said. “This has all the makings of a great game.” Banquet tickets are $25 and may be obtained by calling (518) 588-6952 for reservations. Game tickets are $5 each in advance and $8 on the day of game. They may be obtained from any Adirondack Trust Company bank branch, Walton's Sport Shop, or Perkins and Perkins, Attorneys at Law. Children 5 years old and under are free. For more information, go to the bowl game's website at www.allegiancebowl.com