Shula Bowl in jeopardy after FIU moves to C-USA
By Marcus Nelson
FAU’s series with FIU after this season is off for the time being.
At a press conference to announce FIU is moving to Conference USA in 2013, FIU Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment Pete Garcia was asked about the future of the series with FAU.
“Everything has been put on hold,” Garcia said, citing the uncertainty of how many conference games the Panthers will be playing in Conference USA.
The Owls and Panthers will meet on Nov. 16 at FAU Stadium in what could be the final game in the “Shula Bowl” series. The teams have met every year since 2002 with FIU winning just once in the series.
Garcia said the series could continue, but he couldn’t be sure until he knows how many non-conference games the Panthers will be playing and conference officials have not determined that number after adding five teams on Friday.
In my opinion, losing the “Shula Bowl” would be a real shame and let’s hope Garcia and FAU AD TBA can find a way to continue the series. The fact that on the day that FIU announced it was moving to Conference USA, the first question was about FAU, shows there is interest with the rivalry among the Panther fans.