Tennessee will continue to play home field to the TSSAA BlueCross Bowl. Tech’s coveted Tucker Stadium has been the home venue to the illustrious event since 2009. Tucker Stadium, opened in 1966, and named after former Golden Eagle coach Wilburn Tucker, seats 12,500 adoring fans of the game. The event is the High school football championships for the entire state of Tennessee.
“We hold a contract with TSSAA to host the championships here in Cookeville on the campus of Tennessee Tech,” Zach Ledbetter, Vice President of Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau, said.
“The BlueCross Bowl has been great for our community, welcoming on average, 30-40,000 people over a 3-day weekend late November early December when there’s not typically anything happening other than holiday shopping which brings an economic impact with 2.5 to 3 million dollars between hotel and restaurant guest increases in the downtown area,” Ledbetter added.
The games are set to be played December 3-5. Morgan Investors Group has been the sponsor for the event for the last 10 years.
“It takes 750 people to run the entire event and us as a committee, we are helping make this a successful event,” said Brandon Parish, loan officer for Morgan Investors Group.
Michelle Huddleston, Tech service learning coordinator is also the Volunteering Coordinator for the BlueCross Bowl festivities. She has begun the early search for the 750 willing participants who would like to help with the event.
“ I want everyone to come celebrate this Tennessee tradition, but safely,” said Huddleston.
With the added comment of optimism and positivity she provided a list with measures the measures Tech is taking to ensure the safety of all attendees of the events:
- The Medical Advisory Group formed to serve as a resource and guide for safest practices
- Masks required for all attendees and provided for all volunteers
- Face shields and gloves will be available for volunteers with higher contact positions, e.g. parking
- Five mandated temperature check locations upon entry
- Online ticket sales ONLY to manage/monitor capacity and to reduce cash handling
- Limited stadium capacity to one-third
- Stadium will be cleared following each individual game
- Increased sanitation of high traffic venue areas
- Plexiglass barriers on all concession areas as well as outdoor concession option located in East Stadium
- Reduced number of enclosed tents, e.g. Activity, Tennessee Athletic Coaches’ Association, Interview, and VIP, will be eliminated for added social distancing measures.
- Media Tent will remain, but will be limited capacity with reservations required through TSSAA.
Additionally, volunteer training will be virtual, and the volunteer check-in process will be more expedited than ever.
“We would love to have you volunteer, either as an individual or as a group, to be a part of an event that has become a sense of pride and tradition for the Upper Cumberland,” said Huddleston.
Groups of 2 or more or for special requests/questions, may email Huddleston at volunteer@tntech.edu. Extra precautions are also being taken to pair volunteers with those in their own households and allow for social distancing between/among volunteer teams throughout the event. Anyone looking to volunteer may sign up at visitcookevilletn.com/champions/volunteering.
