UNF to Be Super Bowl XXXIX Practice Site

CONTACT SHARON ASHTON
OFFICE OF MEDIA RELATIONS AND EVENTS
(904) 620-2115


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida is honored to have been chosen as a practice site for a team playing in Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005.

“The Super Bowl will have an enormous impact on Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, and UNF is proud to be a part of this event, which will be remembered for a long time,” UNF President John Delaney said.

The Super Bowl is expected to have a regional economic impact of more than $300 million. More than 100,000 people will visit the area to enjoy Super Bowl XXXIX and related events.

Michael Kelly, president of the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee, said, “With UNF’s history of hosting other visiting football teams at its facilities, the NFL felt the University was a great choice for one of the teams.”

UNF recently was the training site for the West Virginia Mountaineers in the 2004 Gator Bowl.

All Super Bowl practice sessions will be closed to the public and the media. Improvements are expected to be made to the training site prior to the NFL team’s arrival.

“The national focus Jacksonville will receive during the Super Bowl will be incredible,” said Carol Thompson, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. “The fact that UNF will be a part of the Super Bowl festivities can only help to raise its profile.”

- UNF -