MAY 2026 EDITION
ON THE DOCKET
LESS THAN TWO WEEKS FROM THE YOUTH FOOTBALL CLINIC!
The Radiance Technologies
Independence Bowl Youth Football Clinic returns for its 15th edition on Saturday, June 6 from 8-11 a.m. at Independence Stadium, and this year, campers will get to learn from coaches from Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State and ULM.
The Radiance Technologies
Independence Bowl Youth Football Clinic is a free, noncontact clinic for boys and girls ages five through 13 (incoming eighth graders). Registration for the clinic is limited to the first 400 registrants, so parents are encouraged to register their child in advance by clicking the button below.
Clinic participants will learn football fundamentals and conditioning drills through a variety of instruction and drills, as well as receive free lunch and a free t-shirt at the conclusion of the clinic.
HELP RAISE MONEY FOR LOCAL TEACHERS!
The Independence Bowl Foundation and Flying Heart Brewing & Pub are teaming up to support the Bowl's 2026 Extra Yard for Teachers initiative!
Flying Heart is hosting five Pizza & Pints for a Purpose nights between May and September on the third Wednesday of the month. The next one is June 17.
On these nights, Flying Heart will donate a portion of the proceeds from each night to the Independence Bowl's Extra Yard for Teachers initiative, and teachers who present their teacher ID will receive 10% off pizzas!
Through this initiative, the Independence Bowl has donated $142,000 to local educators since 2021, supporting 164 classrooms and approximately 25,000 students.
Join us at Flying Heart for a great night, and help support local teachers!
ON THE DOCKET
TYRANN MATHIEU JOINS US AS THE 2026 KICKOFF DINNER SPEAKER!
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl routinely features some of collegiate sports’ greatest figures at the annual Kickoff Dinner to help kick off the college football season, and 2026’s version of the event will welcome LSU legend and former Saint, Tyrann Mathieu, as the featured speaker!
The 2026 Kickoff Dinner featuring Tyrann Mathieu is set for Monday, August 17 at the Shreveport Convention Center. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for a cocktail hour, and dinner buffets are available starting at 6:15 p.m. The program begins at 7 p.m. and concludes with a Q&A session.
Individual tickets to the event are on sale for $75 apiece, and a table of eight is $600. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking the button below.
Mathieu rose to prominence as a member of the LSU Tigers in 2010 and 2011, as he was college football’s premier game-changer, causing turnovers on defense and scoring electric touchdowns on special teams. He enhanced his game-breaking reputation in the National Football League (NFL) during his 12-year career, being named First-Team All-Pro three times and Second-Team All-Pro once. He was also a key member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV-winning defense.
HALF A CENTURY OF INDY BOWL
INDY BOWL OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will celebrate its 50th playing in December 2026, and the Independence Bowl Foundation announced the year-long festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary leading into game day.
“There are only 35 communities in the country with the privilege of hosting a college football bowl game each year, and for our community to do that for 50 years says something powerful,” said Keith Burton, 2026 Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman. “It says we understand that major events like this do not just happen; they are built by people who care enough to invest their time, resources and energy into something bigger than themselves.
“Fifty years is more than an anniversary. It is a testament to a community that believed it could host something special; to the leaders, volunteers, sponsors, city and parish partners, board members, coaches, student-athletes and fans who continued showing up year after year; and to ShreveportBossier’s ability to welcome the nation, celebrate college football and create memories that last far beyond one game.”
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will use a variety of avenues to celebrate the 50th anniversary in the community, online through social media and website interaction with fans, and during bowl week and on game day to culminate the celebration. Below is a breakdown of the various elements of the celebration and how fans can participate in celebrating this historic landmark.
Community Events & Initiatives
• Online Fan Time Capsule
• Downtown Fireworks & Drone Show
• 50-Year Yard Signs
Fan Engagement
• #IndyBowl50 Campaign
• Summer of Giveaways
• 50th Anniversary Beer Collaboration with Great Raft Brewing
• Interactive Trivia Series
Gameday Experience
• Themed Tailgate Experience
• Honoring the Legends
Merchandise & Memorabilia
• Anniversary Merchandise
• Commemorative Print & Posters
• Commemorative Coins
Storytelling
• Documentary
• All-Time Team
• Fan Memory Submissions
• Throwback Content Series
Fans can stay up to date on all the 50th anniversary festivities throughout the year by visiting RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or following the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.
Stay in spacious rooms with river views.
Play the hottest slots and table games on our single-level casino floor.
Lounge by the tropical pool or sip drinks at The Busted Coconut.
Catch live shows at Paradise Theater and earn rewards faster with PENN Play.
SCAN HERE TO ESCAPE TO PARADISE
ALUMNI IN THE NFL
FORMER INDEPENDENCE BOWL PLAYERS COLLECT CONTRACTS WORTH UP TO $232 MILLION IN NFL FREE AGENCY
There are nearly 100 former Independence Bowl players who were on an NFL roster last year, and 20 of those players signed new contracts this offseason during free agency.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl alumni raked in the money this offseason, signing contracts worth up to a total of $232 million.
2018 Offensive Player of the Game, Daniel Jones, who lit the Independence Bowl record book on fire for Duke in 2018, signed the biggest contract of the group. He reupped with the Indianapolis Colts on a twoyear, $88 million contract.
Two other Indy Bowl alumni signed contracts worth over $35 million. Edge rusher Bradley Chubb (NC State, 2016) signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the Buffalo Bills, and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech, 2015) inked a three-year, $36 million contract with the New York Giants.
Below are the 20 players who signed on the dotted line this offseason:
• Daniel Jones (QB – Duke, 2018) – Two-years, $88 million with the Colts
• Bradley Chubb (Edge – NC State, 2016) – Three-years, $43.5 million with the Bills
• Tremaine Edmunds (LB – Virginia Tech, 2015) – Three-years, $36 million with the Giants
• Wyatt Teller (OG – Virginia Tech, 2015) –Two-years, $16 million with the Houston Texans
• Tyler Allgeier (RB – BYU, 2021) – Two-years, $12.25 million with the Arizona Cardinals
• Sam Franklin (S – Temple, 2018) –Three-years, $7 million with the Bills
• Jake Bobo (WR – Duke, 2018) – Two-years, $5.5 million with the Seattle Seahawks
• Arnold Ebiketie (Edge – Temple, 2018) – One-year, $4.3 million with the Philadelphia Eagles
• Denzel Perryman (LB – Miami, 2014) – One-year, $2.79 million with the Los Angeles Chargers
• Chris Rumph II (Edge – Duke, 2018) – One-year, $2 million with the New Orleans Saints
• Joey Slye (K – Virginia Tech, 2015) – One-year, $2 million with the Tennessee Titans
• Jonathan Ford (DL – Miami, 2019) – One-year, $1.5 million with the Green Bay Packers
• Chuck Clark (S – Virginia Tech, 2015) – One-year, $1.49 million with the Detroit Lions
• Kentavius Street (DL – NC State, 2016) – One-year, $1.48 million with the Chicago Bears
• Derrick Nnadi (DT – Florida State, 2017) – One-year, $1.48 million with the Colts
• Starling Thomas V (DB – UAB, 2021) – One-year, $1.475 million with the Cardinals
• Justin Skule (OT – Vanderbilt, 2016) – One-year, $1.4 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Matt Hennessy (C – Temple, 2018) – One-year, $1.4 million with the Dallas Cowboys
• Trent Sherfield (WR – Vanderbilt, 2016) – One-year, $1.3 million with the Bills
• K.J. Osborn (WR – Miami, 2019) – One-year, $1.21 million with the Titans
ALUMNI IN THE NFL
WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS TO THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL FOUNDATION!
Our bowl spans over six decades, and the Independence Bowl Foundation is the main catalyst for our success! The Independence Bowl Foundation is an organization consisting of numerous volunteer committees, which carry out all of its functions, drawing upon its more than 300 members.
Memberships are open for anyone who would like to become a part of the 11th most-historic bowl game in college football and start as low as $200.
Welcome to our new Independence Bowl Foundation members!
Jarrod Horton
