The Dallas Football Classic is a college football bowl game that is played each year at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.http://www.dallasfootballclassic.com/index-1.html Debuting on January 1, 2011, the game features the sixth-place team from the Big Ten against either a team from the Big 12 or Conference USA using a rotating format. Should a team from the participating conferences be unable to send a representative to the game, a qualified at-large team will be selected.http://www.dallasfootballclassic.com/
The Cotton Bowl Stadium previously hosted the Cotton Bowl, which dates back to 1937. Only second to the Rose Bowl Stadium, the Cotton Bowl Stadium leads all other stadiums in total bowl games held. With a seating capacity of 92,158, the Cotton Bowl Stadium underwent a multi-million dollar renovation prior to the debut of the Dallas Football Classic which included adding seating, concessions, restrooms, a new sound system and a high-definition video board.http://www.dallasfootballclassic.com/index-1.html
Bowl Beginnings
In November of 2009, the Dallas Football Classic was first announced, including the rotating schedule between the three NCAA Football conferences and a four-year schedule for match-ups.http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110409aaa.html The NCAA approved the bowl game in April 2010 at their annual post-bowl-season meetings, making it an official member of the college bowl game schedule going forward.http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/042410dnspocolldfc.278fdc630.html
As of the start of the 2010 NCAA Football season, the Dallas Football Classic did not secure a sponsor for naming rights to the game. Should a sponsor come forward, the name would likely change to reflect the sponsor.http://www.dallasfootballclassic.com/index-3.html
Dallas Football Classic Announcement
Held on September 3, 2009, plans for the Dallas Football Classic were announced during a press conference at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. Bowl President Tom Starr spoke about the bowl game, noting the many NCAA Football Conference commissioners in attendance. Big Ten Commissioner James Delany also spoke during the event, noting the Big Ten supports the bowl system and looks forward to great match-ups in the Big 12.
