Nov. 1, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced after Saturday's victory over Temple that the Naval Academy has formally accepted an invitation to play in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl on Saturday, December 20 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. against a projected opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN and game time is tentatively set for 11 a.m.

The bowl bid is a landmark achievement for the football program as it marks the first time in school history that Navy has gone to six-straight bowl games. Navy can achieve another first by winning the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy for a school-record sixth-consecutive year on Dec. 6 when the Mids play Army in Philadelphia.

Tickets for the EagleBank Bowl are on sale now at www.navysports.com(.) Tickets can also be purchased on Monday morning starting at 9 a.m. by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY or at the Ricketts Hall Box Office. Tickets range from $45-$110. Fans are also encouraged to purchase tickets to sponsor a midshipman or enlisted personnel and their families for $35. Donated tickets will be administered through the Naval Academy Athletic Association ticket office.

"We strongly encourage Navy fans to buy their bowl tickets from the Naval Academy Athletic Association," said Gladchuk. "Our goal is to bring the majority of the Brigade of Midshipmen and we want more than 30,000 Navy fans in the stands. It is very important for this game and for future bowl considerations for our fans to purchase tickets through the NAAA. "If you can't make it to the game we ask that Navy fans buy tickets for our midshipmen, enlisted personnel and their families which will allow us to create our usual electric Navy atmosphere. Ticket donations for our military and their families through the NAAA ticket office are 100 percent deductible."

Anthony Travel is the official Naval Academy EagleBank Bowl travel agency. Travel packages include hotel accommodations at the Mayflower Hotel (Navy team hotel) or the JW Marriott for $149, tailgate admissions, a souvenir and much more. Visit AnthonyTravel.com and search Navy Bowl or call (800) 736-6377 to make your reservations.