NORFOLK, Va. - The 68th Annual Oyster Bowl Game will take place Saturday, November 18 at 2 p.m. when the Old Dominion Monarchs play host to the Rice Owls at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Proceeds from the Oyster Bowl will go to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
“The Oyster Bowl is certainly a fixture within the fabric of Norfolk sports history and Foreman Field,” stated ODU Athletic Director Dr. Wood Selig. “Roger Staubach, Bruce Smith, Tayor Heinicke and so many other college greats have participated in this game over the years.”
The first Oyster Bowl game was played in 1946. Since then more than 3.75 million dollars have been raised.
“The money raised is distributed to 22 state-of-the-art Shriner’s Hospitals for Children throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico” stated Terry Riley, Chairman of the Oyster Bowl Committee.
A newly signed contract between the Shriners and Old Dominion ensures the Oyster Bowl game will continue through at least 2022.
“It’s great that we’ll be able to spread the word about the tremendous work they’re doing at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children to a new generation” added Reilly.
“Our fans look forward to the game each fall and helping the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children is something we can all get behind. It’s a great event for a great cause,” Selig said.
Last year a sellout crowd saw ODU defeat FIU 42-28 in the Oyster Bowl game. Ray Lawry rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns to earn the Mel Blassingham Award as the game’s MVP.
Among numerous fundraising activities tied to the game, one dollar from each ticket sold will go to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
Tickets for the 2017 Oyster Bowl game are available at ynottix.com.