Real Hero Report | January 2019 | 1��
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After a one-year break, the Air Force Reserve returned
as the title sponsor of the fourth annual Air Force
Reserve Celebration Bowl, the championship game for
Historically Black College and University football.
The North Carolina A&T State University Aggies, Mid-Eastern
Athletic Conference champions, took on the Alcon State Braves,
Southwestern Athletic Conference champions on December 15, at
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time the two teams met since they battled each other in 2015, at
the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.
John Grant, Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl executive
director, expressed his gratitude on behalf of ESPN Events to the
Air Force Reserve for joining the Bowl Committee as this year’s
sponsor, and stated its commitment is vital to the success of the
event. “The theme of this year’s Celebration Bowl is all about the
celebration of service,” Grant said. “Partnering with the Air Force
Reserve allows us to truly honor and commemorate those who
volunteer and serve to protect our communities and country”
In addition to increasing its brand recognition to a broad
national audience, the Air Force Reserve seized the opportunity
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the nearly 74,000 Citizen Airmen who are part of the communities
they serve. They study in colleges and universities, support local
community programs, maintain civilian careers, and make an
impact each and every day.
Lt. Gen. Richard W. Scobee, Chief of Air Force Reserve,
Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and commander
of Air Force Reserve Command, believes it’s incredibly
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platform to honor and promote its legacy of culture and diversity.
“Diversity takes on all forms, whether it’s ethnicity, gender, or
thought,” Scobee said. “The fusion of varied cultures creates a
strong military that can respond whenever America needs us.
Serving our country is important, and exciting. The more we can
get that word out, the better the Air Force Reserve will be.”
Chief Master Sgt. Ericka Kelly, AFRC command chief, said
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Force Reserve’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. “For me,
the chance to showcase the Reserve to college students who are
looking for advancement opportunities is beyond words,” Kelly
said. “Being a woman from the Hispanic community, I can testify
to the opportunities the Air Force Reserve offers.”
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in just three downs. The Braves trailed them for the entire game,
with a half time score of 17-6. Although they scored 18 points in
the second half of the game, they would never catch up, and the
Aggies won 24-22, becoming the 2018 National HBCU football
champions.
Scobee presented the Championship Trophy to Sam
Washington, N.C. A&T head coach, Richie Kittle, Defensive
MVP with nine tackles, and Lamar Richard, Offensive MVP with
292 passing yards and two touchdowns. During the postgame
press conference, Richard, a senior, said it felt good win the
championship, and go out on top. He thanked the Air Force
Reserve, bowl committee, and the city of Atlanta.
“The Air Force Reserve is more than proud to once again
sponsor the premier college bowl game of the season,” said Col.
Timothy H. Martz, Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting
Service commander. “Although the game is a vehicle for us to
reach a number of demographics, the event is beyond recruiting
for us. It gives AFRC the ability to leave a positive impression on
not only HBCUs but the entire country.”
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard
W. Scobee, Commander, Air Force
Reserve Command, presents the
2018 Air Force Reserve Celebration
Bowl Offensive Most Valuable
Player award to North Carolina
A&T’s Lamar Raynard (right), and
the Defensive Most Valuable Player
award to Richie Kittle (left), as head
coach Sam Washington of N.C.
A&T looked on, at Mercedes-Benz
Stadium in Atlanta. (U.S. Air Force
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Schester)