Bowl: Gator Bowl 2005
Sport: College Football
Background:
Built more than 70 years ago with a seating capacity of 7,600, the old stadium, originally called Fairfield Stadium, bears no resemblance to the $200 million, 73,000-seat stadium currently occupying the same corner of Jacksonville.
The original stadium, which ran East and West, was constructed primarily to service Jacksonville's three new high schools - Lee, Jackson and Landon. Governor John Martin, on hand for its opening, called the stadium "the best place in Florida to watch a football game!"

On January 1, 1946, the stadium emerged into the national spotlight with the advent of the first Gator Bowl Classic and the beginning of a new tradition. Because of the overwhelming success of this postseason college football classic, the stadium was expanded in 1948 to 16,000 seats and renamed the Gator Bowl.

Today the stadium has a new name and renovations have brought on a new look. Through the support of its fans, Gator Bowl Tradition continues to grow and the spirit of college football remains intact.