Gridiron Classic (1999–2005)

The Gridiron Classic, also known as the Rotary Gridiron Classic presented by Tyco and later The Villages Gridiron Classic for sponsorship reasons, was a post-season college football all-star game played each January in Florida from 1999 through 2005.

For the FCS postseason game of the same name, see Gridiron Classic (2006–2009).
Gridiron Classic (defunct)
StadiumCitrus Bowl (1999–2003)
The Villages Polo Stadium (2004–05)
LocationOrlando, Florida (1999–2003)
The Villages, Florida (2004–05)
Operated1999–2005
Sponsors
Tyco (1999–2002)
Rotary International (1999–2003)
The Villages (2004–05)

From 1999 to 2003, it featured a team representing Florida versus a team from the rest of the United States; it was played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. In 2004 and 2005, it was played at The Villages Polo Stadium in The Villages, a retirement community approximately 45 miles (72 km) northwest of Orlando.[1] During the two years at The Villages, the game used a North vs. South format.

On August 19, 2005, game organizers Florida Citrus Sports canceled the 2006 playing of the Gridiron Classic, after failing to find a sponsor once The Villages decided not to renew the annual game at their facility.[2] The game has not resumed since.

Game results
DateWinning teamLosing teamAttendanceVenue
January 16, 1999Team Florida17Team USA929,725[1][3]Citrus Bowl
Orlando, Florida
January 29, 2000Team USA21Team Florida1421,298[3]
January 13, 2001Team Florida10Team USA020,958[4][3]
January 26, 2002Team Florida42Team USA1320,344[1]
January 25, 2003Team USA20Team Florida179,375[1]
January 31, 2004North All-Stars35South All-Stars3112,312[5]The Villages Polo Stadium
The Villages, Florida
January 15, 2005South All-Stars24North All-Stars2112,635[6]
  • All-time series: Team Florida over Team USA (3–2); North and South tied (1–1).

MVPs
YearPlayerPosCollegeTypeRef
1999Daunte Culpepper
Paul Miranda		QB
CB		Central Florida
Central Florida		Offensive & Overall
Defensive		[7]
2000JaJuan Dawson
Anthony Midget		WR
S		Tulane
Virginia Tech		Offensive
Defensive		[8]
2001Rashard Casey
Chris Edmonds		QB
LB		Penn State
West Virginia		Offensive & Overall
Defensive		[9]
2002Chad Hayes
Mel Mitchell		TE
S		Maine
Western Kentucky		Offensive
Defensive & Overall		[10]
2003Jonathan RuffinPKCincinnatiOverall[11]
2004Troy FlemingRBTennesseeOverall[12]
2005Marcus RandallQBLSUOverall[13]

See also

References
  1. Schmadtke, Alan (August 6, 2003). "Gridiron Classic Moving To Villages". Orlando Sentinel.
  2. "Gridiron classic canceled". Florida Today. August 20, 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  3. "Gridiron classic draws fewer spectators". bizjournals.com. January 15, 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  4. "Gridiron Classic". Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola, Florida. January 14, 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  5. "Gridiron Classic". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. February 1, 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  6. "Gridiron Classic". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. January 16, 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  7. "Culpeper has his bowl in lifting Team Florida to 17-9 Classic win". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. January 17, 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  8. Gardenour, Jeff (January 30, 2000). "Dawson fuels USA in Gridiron Classic". Florida Today. Cocoa, Florid]. Retrieved May 28, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  9. "Gridiron Classic". Lawrence Journal-World. Lawrence, Kansas. January 14, 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  10. Caywood, Barbara (January 27, 2002). "Mitchell Gridiron's MVP". Florida Today. Cocoa, Florida. Retrieved May 28, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  11. "USA tops Florida in Gridiron Classic". The Index-Journal. Greenwood, South Carolina. Associated Press. January 26, 2003. Retrieved May 28, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  12. "North wins, Gridiron Classic records fall". Battle Creek Enquirer. Battle Creek, Michigan. Associated Press. February 1, 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  13. "South captures Gridiron Classic". Hattiesburg American. Hattiesburg, Mississippi. January 16, 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2017 – via newspapers.com.


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