The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 23 at Qualcomm Stadium between the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen and the San Diego State University Aztecs has generated more buzz than any college football game in San Diego in recent memory. Obviously there is great interest in this game among the enormous Navy population in San Diego County and throughout California, and it's the first bowl game for San Diego State in more than a decade. Personally, my loyalties are divided: I'm a huge fan of Navy, but also a proud alum' of SDSU. I suspect a lot of people in San Diego County are similarly conflicted about this game. I want to hear from you about this game. Who will win, and why? Who are you rooting for?
According to Navysports.com, the Naval Academy Athletic Association has more than 7,000 requests for donated tickets for this game from military and their families. Requests for donated tickets have come from Naval Base San Diego; NAS North Island San Diego; Naval Amphibious Base San Diego; Pt. Loma Base San Diego; China Lake, Calif.; Fallon, Nev.; Monterey, Calif.; Seal Beach, Calif.; Ventura, Calif.; El Centro, Calif., Le Moore, Calif. and the Brigade of Midshipmen.
Others requesting tickets are more than 1,000 sailors and Marines that will be returning from deployment the week of the game, including the Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (includes five Companies of Marines and Sailors, Reconnaissance Platoon, Tank Platoon, Artillery Battery, Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, Combat Engineer Platoon, and an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon.
Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk said in Box Score News :
Fans can buy or donate tickets to service members at www.navysports.com, by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY or by clicking on this link: http://tinyurl.com/4jr5eb. Donated tickets are $45 each and are 100 percent tax deductible. The game starts at 5:00 p.m., and will be televised on ESPN. Poinsettia Bowl 2010 President Eric Graves told Navysports.com:
