Game History

Big Ten, Big 12, Big Game

The Insight Bowl has enjoyed significant growth and change since its inception in Tucson 23 years ago, making it a must-see for fans and a favorite destination for teams.

Today, the renowned Big Ten and Big 12 conferences, annually among the national leaders in attendance and television ratings, each send one of their top teams to the Valley of the Sun.

In October, 2009, the Big Ten and Big 12 announced a new agreement with the Insight Bowl. Beginning this year, the Insight Bowl improves its selection in both conferences. After previously picking sixth, the Insight Bowl now features the third selection from the Big Ten and Big 12 after the Bowl Championship series teams are determined.

The 23rd Insight Bowl pairs the Big Ten and Big 12 for the sixth year. To date, five different schools have represented the Big 12 – Iowa State (2009), Kansas (2008), Missouri (2010), Oklahoma State (2007) and Texas Tech (2006). The Big Ten has sent three schools – Indiana (2007), Iowa (2010) and Minnesota (2006, ’08-09).

Legacy

It all started in April, 1989 when the NCAA gave its stamp of approval to the non-profit Copper Bowl Foundation to host a bowl game in Tucson. After eight years at Arizona Stadium, the Arizona Sports Foundation, the operating body of the Fiesta Bowl, was approached with the idea of assuming the responsibilities of operating the Copper Bowl. The idea was met with some skepticism, but the board of directors of the Fiesta Bowl realized it was a great opportunity to keep the game moving forward for the good of college football.

On September 23, 1997, the Arizona Sports Foundation assumed the operating responsibilities of the Bowl and signed a letter of agreement to acquire the Copper Bowl. This was an unprecedented move in college athletics and marked the first time in history two bowl games would be operated by the same organization. Under the direction of the Fiesta Bowl, the Copper Bowl was renamed the Insight.com Bowl when Insight Enterprises, Inc. signed a long-term deal to be title sponsor of the game on Nov. 6, 1997.

On April 26, 2000, the leaders of the Insight.com Bowl were approached with an option to host the game in Phoenix’s state-of-the-art Chase Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Realizing an opportunity to transform the game in a unique venue, the decision was made to move the contest to the Valley of the Sun.

On September 18, 2002, title sponsor Insight Enterprises, Inc., a Tempe-headquartered company, announced the 2002 college bowl game it has sponsored since 1997 as the Insight.com Bowl would be called the Insight Bowl. The new name and a new logo represented the company’s continued growth beyond dot-com status and more appropriately reflected its expansion in customer base, product and service offerings. Insight Enterprises, Inc., and the City of Tempe inked an eight-year agreement on July 14, 2005 to host the Insight Bowl on Frank Kush Field at Sun Devil Stadium, maintaining the tradition of a bowl game in Tempe.

Last Year

In one of the most thrilling Insight Bowl games in its history, the Missouri Tigers and Iowa Hawkeyes both traveled to Tempe for the first time. Iowa upset 12th-ranked Missouri 27-24, snapping the Big 12 Conference Insight Bowl winning streak of four straight games. A record crowd of 53,453 football fans was on hand at Sun Devil Stadium on Arizona State University’s campus.

The 22nd Insight Bowl also reached new heights in television ratings. In its first year on ESPN, the game’s ratings increased more than 400 percent from the previous year. It was the greatest increase of TV ratings among all bowls during the 2010-11 cycle.

This year, the 23rd Annual Insight Bowl is moving to 8 p.m. MST on December 30. It will be televised nationally again by ESPN.

With a family of four able to attend for less than $100, the Insight Bowl remains one of the best bargains in major-college football. Game tickets start as low as $25. For ticket information, visit www.insightbowl.org or call 480-350-0911.