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Gator Bowl Officials Aim For More College Football At EverBank Field

Kevin Meerschaert
/
WJCT

With the 2014 Gator Bowl only hours away, organizers say they would like to see more neutral site college football games played in Jacksonville.Gator Bowl Association officials such a game would be an economic boom for the region.

The Gator Bowl brings about a $30 million dollar economic impact every year to the First Coast.

Officials say a neutral site game with two major college teams could bring similar economic results.

Alan Verlander is leaving his job as Jacksonville’s director of sports and entertainment to join the Gator Bowl Association. His job will be to bring more sporting events to EverBank Field.

Verlander says a neutral site game would generate excitement for the fans.

"It's at the beginning of the year. Fans are really excited about their team," he said. "They haven't won or lost yet so there are high hopes for the season so we want to be in the business of that.

Verlander said ideally Florida State University would be one of those teams. The Seminoles have played a couple of regular season games previously at the field under it's former moniker, Alltel Stadium.
 

You can follow Kevin Meerschaert on Twitter @KMeerschaertJax.

Kevin Meerschaert has left WJCT for new pursuits. He was the producer of First Coast Connect until October of 2018.