The Florida Beach Bowl Is Ready For Kick-Off

A five-year vision will become a reality for Victor Robenson and the Florida Beach Bowl.

HOUSTON - Five years ago, Victor Robenson, CEO of the Florida Beach Bowl, conceived adding another postseason bowl game for HBCUs. On Wednesday, the event's inception became a reality when Johnson C. Smith (CIAA) and Fort Valley State (SIAC) will square off in the inaugural contest. "The Florida Beach Bowl is all about a dream," Robenson noted. "We'll never start dreaming, but the thing is, don't just dream and not put the work in. You have to put the work in. But for me, I'm all about the challenge."

In little over two months, Robenson and his group received NCAA approval and blessings from SIAC commissioner Dr. Anthony Holloman and the longtime CIAA commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. The Florida Beach Bowl was ready, but more work was necessary to create a first-class presentation for HBCUs. 

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Robenson had the consent of the governing bodies, but now he had to find a venue, government permitting, and a broadcast partner.  The Alabama State alum contacted Todd Brown (CEO), Hardy Pelt (CRO), and Urban Edge Network to establish the infrastructure to stream the event for fans and family members to watch the Golden Bulls and Wildcats nationwide.

"I wanted somebody who saw my vision," Robenson said in reference to UEN. "And one of the reasons I chose HBCU Plus because when we had the conversation, they believed in what we were doing, and they believed in ownership." Securing DRV PNK Stadium to host the event was a coup. Still, the Florida Beach Bowl needed football teams. The SIAC and CIAA leaders offered two legendary football programs that would challenge one another and put on a great show. 

Partners and sponsorship dollars began to roll in, with Amerant becoming a title sponsor. Also, Visit Lauderdale, the American Diabetes Association, the City of Fort Lauderdale, Coach USA, and Tropic Gourmet joined the fray, giving the Florida Beach Bowl the backbone for the production.

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"We have interest. And the way we've built so much interest, some people want to sponsor an HBCU event, not because of me. This is beyond me. This has been before me or even going to be after me." 2023 is ending, but only after the Florida Beach Bowl kicks off a week of HBCU postseason days before the 2023 Band of the Year and 2023 Celebration Bowl will be held on Friday and Saturday, respectively. 

"And don't be surprised if the Florida Beach Bowl returns next year or the following year. It's just not a regular game, but it's more of a championship game...it's being built actually to grow to become something beyond my imagination." Robenson envisions the entire bowl experience to possibly host a Black College Championship game for Division II schools. 

"This thing is going to take off, and it is taking off today! And I wish all you guys would come here, buy out tickets, and see us at work, and you're going to be proud." The inaugural Florida Beach Bowl will begin at 7:00 PM ET from DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday, Dec. 13.   HBCU Plus will have the live broadcast with Charles Ward (play-by-play) and Abreon Scott (color analyst) on the call.  

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