LINCOLN, NE —Today, the Nebraska Shrine Bowl Board of Directors announced the future host city for the 2020-2024 Shrine Bowl of Nebraska.

On 10 January at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Lincoln, it was confirmed that Kearney was selected to host the Shrine Bowl of Nebraska for the next 5 years.

“We are extremely thrilled to return to Kearney for another five years. We were humbled by the amount of interest expressed to host the Shrine Bowl’s weekend of activities and wish to express our thanks to the other great Nebraska communities that submitted applications for candidate city consideration,” said Dave MacDonald, Executive Director of the Nebraska Shrine Bowl. “We believe awarding these bids for several years in advance will make for a better game day experience and lead to growth in our long-term corporate and community partnerships.”

Scheduled for June 4, 2020, Kearney will be hosting the Nebraska Shrine Bowl for the 7th time, first hosting the event in 2014. “The University of Kearney’s Ron and Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field has continued to provide an excellent game day experience for fans and players alike – an undeniable All-Star environment,” said Paul Gonzales, President of the Nebraska Shrine Bowl.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to retain and continue the City of Kearney’s partnership with the Nebraska Shrine Bowl,” said Roger Jasnoch, Director of the Kearney Visitors Bureau. “We feel it is a great fit with the resources Kearney has to be able to host an event as prestigious as this. The partnership provides an excellent opportunity to host students, athletes, and their families in Nebraska’s heartland and we hope they’ll take full advantage of all Kearney has to offer.” 

No stranger to Nebraska’s premier high school sports event, Kearney has played host to the Nebraska Shrine Bowl for 5 years straight. Foster Field at the University of Nebraska – Kearney, which will serve as the game site, is widely regarded as one of the premier facilities in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.

“A lot of collaboration and community support went into the proposal, and we would like to especially thank the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Younes Hospitality, and many local businesses for their cooperation and assistance throughout this process. They were an integral part of our successful bid,” said Lynelle Fritzen, Sports Sales and Services Manager for the Kearney Visitors Bureau. “Kearney prepared a terrific bid. It was clear that the city and surrounding area are eager to host our event and we are equally excited to renew our relationship with the community,” added MacDonald.

“The community and businesses have been great supporters and the facilities are second to none. We are honored to be selected as the host for the Nebraska Shrine Bowl,” Jasnoch said. “Our community understands the importance of the Nebraska Shrine Bowl, from the students participating in football, band, and cheer, to the goal of fundraising for Shriners Hospitals for Children. We guarantee students will have a one of a kind experience in Kearney, and they will take home memories that will last a lifetime.”

About the Nebraska Shrine Bowl

The Nebraska Shrine Bowl is an all-star high school senior, North vs. South, football game put on each year in Nebraska, by the Nebraska Shrine. It is a 501(c) 3 non-profit charity that produces annual events and related activities, with net proceeds benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Nebraska Shrine Bowl has annually donated more than $2.5M to Shriners Hospitals for Children since its inception in 1958.
The game has been played throughout Nebraska each summer.  Host cities have included Lincoln, Omaha, and Kearney.

Beginning in 1958, the flagship event has been the North/South All-Star Football Game. As of 2018, the South leads the series with 30 wins, the North has 27 wins, and there have been 3 ties. Notable alumni include Nebraska football coaches, Scott Frost and Barrett Ruud, All-Americans Eric Crouch, Zach Wiegert, Danny Noonan, Dean Steinkuhler, Dave Rimington, Johnny Rodgers, Jeff Kinney, Jerry Murtaugh, in addition to other Husker stand-outs Sam Koch, Calvin Jones, Corey Schlesinger, Rob Zatechka, Tom Rathman, Gale Sayers, amongst many others.

The Nebraska Shrine Bowl also includes the Nebraska Masonic All-Star Marching band camp, held annually at each host site. The week also includes the Nebraska Shrine Bowl Cheer Camp, which culminates with performances at each game. Other bowl weekend activities include the Nebraska Shrine Bowl Banquet and the state’s largest Shrine Parade.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a healthcare system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.

The 61st Annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl will be played Saturday, June 1, 2019, in Kearney, Nebraska, at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium on the campus of the University of Nebraska—Kearney.  Kickoff will be at 2:00 pm.  Tickets and additional information are available at www.neshrinebowl.org or by calling (402) 477-8908.