By Emily Puia
When you think about the Orange Bowl, the first thing that comes to mind is a legendary football game that features some of college football’s top-tier teams. But the Orange Bowl Committee is about so much more than just football.
Established in 1935 with the primary objective of boosting tourism in South Florida through its annual football game, the organization has grown into a vital regional institution with a broad spectrum of community initiatives and events. Over the course of nine decades, the Orange Bowl Committee has made an enduring impact on South Florida, touching the lives of countless individuals, from young athletes, to students, and local communities.
Youth Sports
One of the most impactful aspects of the Orange Bowl Committee’s mission is its unwavering commitment to youth sports programs. Over the years, the organization has provided opportunities for 16,500 young athletes to engage in sports. These programs extend across a wide range of sports, from football and golf to basketball and tennis, ensuring that the youth in our community have access to various athletic opportunities.
In 2017, Orange Bowl launched the Orange Bowl Florida High School Football Showcase presented by Baptist Health, and the Orange Bowl Florida High School Basketball Showcase presented by American Airlines in 2021. Both events offer hundreds of student-athletes a unique opportunity to showcase their talents for Division II, III, NAIA and JUCO educational institutions with the goal of playing at the next level while earning a college degree.
Education
The Orange Bowl Committee understands that excellence in sports should go hand-in-hand with academic success. Therefore, the organization places a significant emphasis on supporting students through scholarship funds and academic program such as the Orange Bowl Leadership Academy (OBLA), an after-school mentoring program for middle school students in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
In the past year alone, the Orange Bowl has raised $75,000 to support scholarship funds that have major impact on the academic development of countless young individuals including the Orange Bowl Beigel-Hixon Valor Award, which honors the Marjory Stoneman Douglas coaches who lost their lives protecting their colleagues and students in the senseless tragedy that occurred at the Parkland school.
Community Engagement
Beyond youth sports and education, the Orange Bowl Committee is deeply involved in community engagement. With more than 400 volunteer committee members, 30 full-time staff, and approximately 1,000 ambassadors, the organization has a vast support network dedicated to making South Florida a better place. They host events like the Sunshine Health Orange Bowl Family Fun & Fit Day, presented by PNC Bank, volunteering with organizations at food and supply distributions, and participating in toy drives.
Through fundraising events, the Orange Bowl Committee has raised $150,000 in the 2022-2023 season alone. These funds support their numerous initiatives, from scholarships to community engagement events, ensuring that the organization’s mission continues to thrive.
Legacy Programs
One of the most visible signs of the Orange Bowl Committee’s impact is the transformation and renovation of local parks throughout the tri-county area. Thanks to the dedication of the organization and its partners, six parks have undergone renovations. These renovations include brand new football fields, state-of-the-art facilities, locker rooms, concessions, scoreboards, and track & field areas.
The organization has also renovated more than 30 school media centers in the South Florida area with the collaboration with College Football Playoff Foundation. These renovations provided new modernized classrooms furniture and equipment to encourage a more creative environment. These spaces benefit approximately 30,000 students and teachers in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties each year.
“The Orange Bowl Committee is a testament to the power of community engagement and the positive impact of sports. What started as an annual football game has grown into an organization that touches thousands of lives,” said Orange Bowl Committee President, Yvonne Johnson-Phillips, M.D. “It’s an honor to be a part of this organization that leaves a lasting legacy of positive change in our community.”
From youth sports programs and scholarships to education and community engagement, the Orange Bowl Committee continues to be way more than just football.
