JACKSONVILLE, FL 9/20/06 - Mayor John Peyton and Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford addressed the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Trustees at the Chamber?s third quarterly Trustee meeting today about the future of the ACC Football Championship Game in Jacksonville.  Jacksonville was awarded the game on August 19, 2004 for two years and the ACC has the option to extend this agreement for an additional two years following this year?s game.

Commissioner John Swofford expressed his gratitude to the City of Jacksonville for a job well done on the inaugural ACC Football Championship game last year. ?The  ACC enjoys a great bond with the City of Jacksonville and I am here to say that I would like nothing better than to see our premier game remain in your city.  A sellout will virtually assure that the ACC will extend its option and Jacksonville will continue to host the game for an additional 2 years,? said Commissioner Swofford.

Mayor John Peyton and Past Chamber Chairman Jim McCollum are co-chairing a committee comprised of business and civic leaders charged with creating an awareness campaign to insure Jacksonville remains the home of the ACC Football Championship Game.  Today, the Regional Chamber of Commerce Trustee meeting provided the backdrop to kickoff the ?It?s Our Game? Campaign.   Highlights of the campaign include a Chamber of Commerce Ticket Drive, a Hospitality endeavor led by the Jacksonville & Beaches Convention and Visitor?s Bureau, an ACC Football Championship Game Road Tour and a media campaign featuring print, television, radio and billboard advertising.

?Jacksonville is a sports town with a great history of hosting college sporting events such as the annual Florida/Georgia game and the Gator Bowl,? said Mayor Peyton. ?Becoming the permanent home of the ACC Football Championship game would be an honor and a tremendous addition to the ever-expanding schedule of exciting events in our city. I encourage local residents to show their support for the game by buying tickets to what I am sure will be a great game.?

?There is no question that the ACC Football Championship Game is good for Jacksonville. Not only does it provide quality college football at its best, it draws 25,000 ? 30,000 out-of-town fans and generates $12 - $14 million that goes directly into our local economy,? said Scott Keith, Chairman of the Gator Bowl Association.

Commissioner Swofford expressed the ACC?s appreciation to the City of Jacksonville as host of the inaugural ACC Football Championship game with a check presentation in the amount of $25,000. Mayor Peyton said the five $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who are making a difference in the Jacksonville community.

The 2006 ACC Football Championship Game will be played on Saturday, December 2 at 1:00 p.m. and will be televised on ABC.  The game will feature the Champion of the ACC Atlantic Division and the Champion of the ACC Coastal Division. 

Founded in 1953, the Atlantic Coast Conference now includes 12 universities: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina State, University of Maryland, University of North Carolina, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

The ACC Football Championship Game is an official event of The Gator Bowl Association, a 501(c) 3 not-for profit organization whose mission is to provide Northeast Florida with the very best in college athletics and related activities in order to maximize positive impact on the area?s economy, national image and community pride. The Association?s primary charitable activities are focused on education and youth in the North Florida area.

To purchase ACC Football Championship Game tickets log onto www.ACCchampionship.com. For additional information on the championship game, events or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.gatorbowl.com or call the Gator Bowl Association at (904)798-1700.