Representatives of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl announced today that the 2010 Bowl game between the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the University of Tennessee Volunteers produced a $20.1 million impact on the local economy.

The Bowl recorded a new attendance high of 69,143 which marks the third sell out in the last five years.  The Bowl also reached new television viewership highs with a 4.92 national household rating delivering 7.1 million viewers.  A total of 26,966 hotel room nights were booked with 41,486 out-of-town visitors attending the Bowl.

“We are thrilled with the 2010 results,” said Christine Karbowiak, Bowl chair. “During the past 13 years, the Bowl has produced more than $185 million in economic impact on our local economy and continues to be a positive contributor to Middle Tennessee’s business climate. These results significantly underscore the key partnerships that we have with the SEC, ACC and ESPN and the bright future that lies ahead.”

Building support for the Bowl locally is important to the success of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. In 2010, the Bowl sold 26,506 tickets prior to the announcement of the teams, an increase of 13 percent year-over-year. “Developing our ticket base regionally and creating community ownership is a key strategy and vital to the Bowl’s continued success,” said Scott Ramsey, president & CEO.

In 2010, the Bowl also continued its support of charitable initiatives in Middle Tennessee.  Through a grant from NCAA Football and the Bowl’s Franklin American Mortgage Charity Cup hosted by Brandt Snedeker, the Bowl generated $230,000 in financial support for youth sports and Middle Tennessee flood recovery efforts.

Since 2001, the Bowl has used the Nashville Sports Council’s nationally recognized Scorecard report to measure the impact and effectiveness of sporting events on the local economy.  The Scorecard measures economic impact, media exposure, and community involvement based on ratings and surveys from participants, spectators, volunteers and media that attended the event.

2006 – 2010 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl Summary of Results

*2006 marked the first year of the SEC vs. ACC conference agreement.  Conference agreements are completed in four-year cycles.  The Bowl has existing agreements with the SEC and ACC through the 2013 Bowl game.

About the Bowl:

The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (501(c)(3) non-profit organization) is an annual post-season collegiate Bowl featuring the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conferences.  Since its inception, the Bowl has produced more than $185 million in economic impact.  Televised nationally to millions of viewers and listeners on ESPN and Nevada Sports Radio Network, the Bowl is Nashville’s Holiday Tradition.  For more information, call the Bowl office at 615.743.3130 or visit the Bowl online at MusicCityBowl.com.

To get up-to-the-minute information, follow the Bowl on Facebook and Twitter.

Cumberland University was picked fourth in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) West Division in a recently released poll of league coaches.

Fifth-year head coach Dewayne Alexander returns 17 starters and 45 letter-winners from last season's 5-6 club. The Bulldogs suffered three one-point losses and a 13-3 setback as well during the 2009 campaign.

The University of the Cumberlands (9-2, 5-1 MSC) received six of the seven first-place votes and tallied 36 points in earning the moniker of division favorite. Shorter University (6-5, 3-3) was picked second with 27 points, with Bethel University (5-6, 4-2) third with 23 points.

Cumberland (5-6, 3-3) was tabbed fourth with 19 points, with Belhaven University (6-5, 4-2) receiving the other first-place vote and rated fifth overall with 18 points. Union College (4-6, 3-3) tied for fifth with Belhaven and Faulkner University (2-9, 0-6) was seventh with six points.

Campbellsville University (7-4, 3-2) received three first-place votes and Georgetown College (7-4, 4-2) collected two first-place votes, as the longtime rivals tied for the top spot in the East Division with 32 points. UVA-Wise (5-6, 4-2) obtained the other two first-place votes and was tabbed third with 29 points.

Pikeville College (3-8, 1-5) received 20 points and was fourth, while West Virginia Tech (3-8, 0-6), Kentucky Christian (1-9, 1-5) and Lindsey Wilson (first season of football) rounded out the poll.

Cumberland University opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Austin Peay before entertaining Campbellsville University in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1:30 p.m. The Bulldogs also host West Virginia Tech (Sept. 25), Lindsey Wilson (Homecoming, Oct. 2), Shorter University (Oct. 9), Union College (Oct. 30) and Belhaven University (Nov. 6) at Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field in 2010. Click here to view the Bulldogs' 2010 Football Schedule.