On Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, Shreveport-Bossier’s college football bowl game, the Independence Bowl, was played in a game that matched Louisiana Tech against Coastal Carolina. The Independence Bowl is now in its 49th year of existence. This means the next Independence Bowl will mark No. 50. Much like reflecting on the long history and tradition of the NFL’s Super Bowl — soon to reach Super Bowl 60 (LX) — it feels special to say “Independence Bowl 50” and to think about the tradition and memories tied to our local college football bowl game.

Yes, for nearly five decades, the Independence Bowl has been far more than a postseason football game played in Shreveport-Bossier. It has been a statement — about who we are as a community, what we value, and our willingness to invest in something bigger than ourselves.

Since its beginning in 1976, the Independence Bowl has grown alongside Shreveport, weathering economic shifts, sponsorship changes, conference realignments and the ever-evolving landscape of college football. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the bowl’s deep roots in this community and the pride Northwest Louisiana takes in hosting it.

When the Independence Bowl was first created, Shreveport was not yet a guaranteed stop on the national sports map. Bringing a college bowl game to the city required vision, risk and a belief that Shreveport could rise to the occasion. Local leaders, volunteers and business owners stepped forward, building something that would put the city in living rooms across the country every December.

Over the years, the bowl has delivered countless memories — dramatic finishes, breakout performances and moments that shaped college football careers. Fans still talk about snow-filled games, last-second heroics and matchups that exceeded expectations.

I remember the very first Independence Bowl in 1976 (Tulsa vs. McNeese). I was on the field for the pregame festivities, playing my trombone in the Captain Shreve High School Marching Band as part of a combined Caddo Parish Schools high school marching band ensemble. I remember being scared to death standing on the field in such a large stadium in front of so many people.

I also remember the 1982 Independence Bowl. My girlfriend at the time (now my wife) was the instructor (head coach) for her own baton-twirling marching unit, and they were scheduled to perform during the pregame festivities. However, it was 32 degrees on the field, with freezing rain falling, and their portion of the pregame festivities was canceled.

I remember my childhood heroes John Wayne (1978), Bob Hope (1979) and Paul Harvey (1980) being in Shreveport to receive the Independence Bowl’s General Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award. 

I have so many more memories of our Independence Bowl over the years — LSU vs. Nick Saban’s Michigan State team in 1995 and LSU vs. Notre Dame in 1997. And in 2000, who can ever forget the “Snow Bowl,” with Mississippi State squaring off against Texas A&M in an overtime matchup that saw heavy, powdery snow blanket the field just before kickoff, making the game a college football classic for the ages? I was getting calls from friends all around the country asking, “Hey, what in the world is going on in Shreveport?”

I have many more great memories of this beloved college football bowl game — what it means to our entire area and what it means to me. But just as important as what happened on the field is what happened off it.

The Independence Bowl has consistently brought visitors, national media attention and economic impact to our region. Hotels fill. Restaurants buzz. Local attractions see new faces. For many visitors, the bowl game is their first introduction to Shreveport — and in some cases, to Louisiana — and often not their last. The event showcases our hospitality, our culture and our ability to host large-scale events with professionalism and heart.

Perhaps most impressive is the bowl’s long-standing commitment to community service. From supporting military families to charitable outreach and youth programs, the Independence Bowl has worked to ensure its presence leaves a lasting, positive impact beyond game day. That service-minded approach reflects the values of Northwest Louisiana and reinforces why this event belongs here. It is a reflection of who we are.

The bowl has also demonstrated remarkable resilience. College football has changed dramatically since the Independence Bowl’s early days. Conferences have shifted, television contracts have reshaped schedules and postseason expectations have evolved. Yet the Independence Bowl has adapted without losing its identity — continuing to attract quality teams and national partners while remaining proudly rooted in Shreveport. Again, the Independence Bowl is a reflection of who we are.

Critics may occasionally question the relevance of the now-massive number of college football bowl games in today’s college football environment. However, that debate misses the bigger picture by a mile. The Independence Bowl is not just about rankings or championships. It is about tradition, opportunity and community pride. It is about Shreveport-Bossier and our region showing up year after year and proving that we can compete on a national stage.

Like much of our local media, the Bossier Press-Tribune has been honored and fortunate to partner with the Independence Bowl for more than 20 years as a media sponsor. I have come to know Independence Bowl Executive Director Missy Setters and her hardworking staff well. Over the years, I have seen firsthand the passion and dedication Missy and her capable team bring to making the Independence Bowl what it is today.

As we look to the future and toward Independence Bowl 50, this college football bowl game remains a reminder of what can happen when a community believes in itself. It stands as one of Shreveport-Bossier’s most enduring traditions — a symbol of perseverance, collaboration and civic pride.

In a world that often moves too fast and forgets its roots, the Independence Bowl continues to matter — not just because of football, but because of what it represents: our ability as a community to dream big, work together and welcome the nation with open arms.

That is a legacy worth celebrating — every December and beyond.

Written by Randy Brown, Executive Vice President of Specht Newspapers, Inc.