ACC Teams begin Road To Tampa Bay this weekend!

Football season is here! Here is this weekend's ACC schedule...

Thursday

Georgia Tech vs Jacksonville State
Miami (FL) vs Charleston Southern
Wake Forest at Baylor
North Carolina State at South Carolina

Saturday

Virginia Tech at East Carolina
Virginia vs USC
Maryland vs Delaware
North Carolina vs McNeese State
Duke vs James Madison
Boston College at Kent State
Clemson vs Alabama


Are you on the Road To Victory?

Get your tickets to the 2008 ACC Football Championship game now! www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com

The Road To Tampa Bay Street Team will be in Atlanta, Georgia this weekend...

The Road To Tampa Bay Street Team will be in Atlanta, Georgia this weekend to help kick off the 2008 ACC Football season and get fans ready for the 2008 ACC Football Championship in Tampa, Florida. Look for The Road To Tampa Bay booth at “Wreck Fest” at Georgia Tech on Thursday night, the Grand Hyatt Downtown all day Friday, and tailgating in Centennial Park on all day Saturday leading up to the Chick-Fil-A College Kickoff when preseason ACC-favorite Clemson takes on Alabama in the Georgia Dome.


Stop by the booth for pictures with the Championship trophy, grab some cool stuff, play corn hole, enter to win ACC Championship Tickets and grab information about the “ACC Road Warrior of the Week” Contest.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2008 ACC Championship. www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com

Former Plant stars work down Road To Tampa Bay

Three former Plant Panthers battling to return home…An advertisement in the Plant High School game program showcases Robert Marve (Miami), Lovell Jackson (Wake Forest), and Rhonne Sanderson (Florida State), three former stars of Tampa’s Plant high school, and former Hillsborough County All-Stars who are now trying to push their teams to the ACC Championship game. The Under Armour Hillsborough County High School All-Star game will follow the ACC Championship on December 6th at Raymond James Stadium.





Admission to the all-star game is free. ACC Championship tickets are on sale now!

The "U" stressing "A"s

Miami among top football programs academically in the nation...

Since 1991, UM’s average AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) rate is 71.52 percent, and far exceeds the national average of 58 percent.

In the latest release of the NCAA Academic Progress Report, the Miami Hurricanes scored a 969, which put them as the eight-highest out of 119 bowl sub-division football programs. Miami follows two other ACC schools (Duke # 3, Boston College # 7) in the top 10.

On this year’s Hurricane team, there are 23 seniors, 13 have already earned degrees and the other 10 are on course to graduate either in December 2008 or May 2009. Last season, Miami had 12 early graduates (the second highest total nationally behind Boston College).

Click here to see the NACDA press release on the Miami Hurricane’s academic success.

ACC Quotables...

They said what?

“Not being brash or overconfident, but I would be disappointed with anything less than a trip to Tampa (for the ACC championship game)" --Sean Glennon, Virginia Tech quarterback


Check out this article on how Virginia Tech plans to return to the ACC Championship game this year
http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/sports/college/virginia_tech/article/virginia_tech_football_preview_dedication_to_offseason_conditioning_could_l/7608/


Tickets for the ACC Championship on sale now at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com!

Day 12, 12 days, 12 schools of ACC Football...

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.
Giving you a link to the defending ACC Champion Virginia Tech Hokies, including interviews with Sean Glennon and Orion Martin.

That concludes the 12 day, 12 team preview of ACC Football. Find everything you need for this upcoming season here as each team travels down the Road To Tampa Bay!

Tickets are on sale now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

Day 11, 12 teams, 12 schools of ACC Football

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.

Giving you a link to today's USA Today predicted 2008 champion...Clemson Tigers--including interviews with Cullen Harper and Michael Hamlin.

Tune in tomorrow for Virginia Tech.

Tickets are on sale now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

ACC Football Championship receives help from former alums

Ten current Tampa Bay Buccaneers are helping out another sporting event coming to the Tampa Bay area this fall...the 2008 ACC Football Championship.

The local organizing committee for the game has assembled the Buccaneer ACC Alumni Council, headed by Ronde Barber, for assisting with the game. The group helped shoot the tv commercial for the game. The committe members are:

Gaines Adams, Clemson

Ronde Barber, Virginia

Derrick Brooks, Florida State

Phillip Buchanon, Miami

Anthony Davis, Virginia Tech

Warrick Dunn, Florida State

Chris Hovan, Boston College

Dre Moore, Maryland

Ryan Sims, North Carolina

Jeremy Trueblood, Boston College

Rob Higgins, executive director for the local organizing committee stands on with Ronde Barber.

Click here to view the behind the scenes photos from the commercial:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/accfootballl/

Click to the view the general version of the commercial:

Tickets to the 2008 ACC Football Championship are on sale now at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com !

Day 10, 12 days, 12 schools of ACC Football

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.

Giving you a link to today's featured...North Carolina Tar Heels --including interviews with Hakeem Nicks and Deunta Smith.

Tune in tomorrow for Clemson.

Tickets are on sale now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

Day 9, 12 Days, 12 teams of ACC Football

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.

Giving you a link to today's featured.. Wake Forest Demon Deacons --including interviews with Aaron Curry and Alphonso Smith.

Tune in tomorrow for North Carolina.

Tickets are on sale now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

Day 8, 12 days, 12 teams of ACC Football

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.

Giving you a link to today's featured.. Miami Hurricanes, --including interviews with Jason Fox and Eric Moncur.




Tune in tomorrow for Wake Forest.




Tickets are on sale now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

Day 7, 12 Days, 12 Teams of ACC Football...

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.

Giving you a link to today's featured...Florida State Seminoles, --including interviews with Drew Weatherford and Everette Brown.

Tickets on sale now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

Day 6, 12 Days, 12 Teams of ACC Football...

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.

Giving you a link to today's featured....Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, --including interviews with Andrew Gardner and Vance Walker.

Tickets on sale now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

Day 5, 12 Days...12 Teams...2008 ACC Football

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.


Giving you a link to today's featured....Boston College Eagles, --including interviews with Ryan Purvis and Ron Brace.









Tickets on sale now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

Former Florida State athlete inducted to Humanitarian Hall of Fame

Former Florida State football player and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn was inducted to the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in June. Dunn is entering his 12th NFL season and was honored for his work in assisting single-parents and their children realize the dream of home ownership through the Warrick Dunn Foundation.

“I’m truly honored to be inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. I try to follow my works from my mom’s heart and dreams,” said Dunn. The program has helped 78 single-parents and 205 children and dependents in Tampa and Tallahassee, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Atlanta, Georgia by providing initial down payment funding and furnishings.

The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame is located on the Boise State University campus in Idaho, recognizes individuals and organizations from the world of amateur and professional athletics who, through their humanitarian efforts, distinguish themselves as role models in the community.

Dunn also has participated on the ACC Buccaneers Alumni Council, a group of players assisting the local organizing committee with the ACC Football Championship.

Click here to view the full article on Warrick Dunn's award

To purchase tickets to the 2008 ACC Football Championship log on to www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com

Rob Higgins speaks on 2008 ACC Football Championship

Rob Higgins, executive director for the 2008 ACC Football Championship Local Organizing Committee discusses his thoughts on the upcoming game.

The game will be played on December 6th in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium.




Tickets for the game are on sale now at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com and begin at just $25!

Day 4...12 Days, 12 Teams, 2008 ACC Football....

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.


Giving you a link to today's featured....Virginia Cavaliers ,
--including interviews with John Phillips and Clint Sintim.








Tune in tomorrow for the Boston College Eagles.

Tickets on sale now at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com for only $25!

One sport not an option for Russell Wilson...

Russell Wilson maintains complete balance in two sports and in the classroom.

In his second year at NC State, he participates as an infielder on the baseball team and quarterback on the football team. Russell started 16 games and hit .296 with two home runs, eight RBIs, and six stolen bases while helping the Wolfpack baseball team to the super regionals this past season. Wilson will look to be in the competition at quarterback for NC State this upcoming season.

Wilson is in good company of two-sport athletes within his family. His grandfather, Harrison B. Wilson Jr., played both football and basketball at Kentucky State, and his father, Harrison III, was a baseball and football player at Dartmouth. His brother Harry completed an accomplished career at the University of Richmond as a wide receiver/punt returner for the football team and an outfielder on the baseball team.

But being a two-sport athlete is no easy task for Russell. He began baseball practice on January 10th, only to leave mid-season in late March for football spring practice. After spring football practices had adjourned Wilson went back to baseball, eventually working himself back into the lineup. Along with playing two sports, Wilson also maintains a 3.6 grade-point average.

To view ESPN writer Chris Preston’s full article on Russell Wilson
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=3512366

Can Russell Wilson help the NC State Wolfpack move down the Road To Tampa Bay? Stay tuned this season.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2008 ACC Football Championship at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com !

Day 3! ACC Football 12 Teams in 12 Days

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.

Giving you a link to today's featured team....Maryland Terrapins.

Tune in tomorrow for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Tickets on sale now for the 2008 ACC Football Championship at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com !

ACC Football 12 Teams in 12 Days...Day 2...

Check out what theACC.com has to say about each team's travels down the Road To Tampa Bay.

Giving you a link to today's featured team....Duke Blue Devils





Tune in tomorrow for the Maryland Terrapins.

Virginia Tech maze creates quite the craze...

If being predicted by the media to win the Coastal division has not given the defending ACC Champion Hokies a jump start, maybe this will...

Virginia Tech fans will play on another field this fall, this one at the Layman Family Farm in Bedford, Virginia. This field is completely dominated by Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer (pictured left).

Each summer the Layman family turns one of their cornfields into a work of art. They create a maze, which is used as the center piece of their annual Pumpkin Festival (Sept 8 - Nov 5). This year they chose to celebrate coach Beamer's success.

To read more on the dedication to coach Beamer check out
http://www.beamerball.com/free/laymanfarms.htm

• Tickets on sale now for the 2008 ACC Football Championship at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com

Road To Tampa Bay begins the promotional tour...

Over the weekend, the Road To Tampa Bay street team stopped in Orlando at its inaugural Heritage Bowl Block Party to promote the upcoming 2008 ACC Championship game.








The Orange County Regional History Center’s Young Professional’s Advisory Council partnered with MetroMix.com (a division of the Orlando Sentinel) to throw a pre-season football tailgate in Heritage Square Park. The festivities included a look at football throughout the state of Florida over the years, music, games, food, and beverages. All Florida schools in the BCS conferences were represented by their local alumni.

Among them representing the ACC was the Seminole Club of Greater Orlando and the University of Miami Orlando Club.


http://www.orlandosentinel2.com/contests/heritagebowl/

Keep a lookout for the Road To Tampa Bay street team coming to an event near you!


Tickets are on sale now at www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com for only $25!

2008 ACC Football Championship will be played on December 6th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

ACC Football...12 Teams, 12 Days!

August has begun, and the season is less than a month away. The Road To Tampa Bay is on each team's navigation system with the championship game only 4 months away! Kicking off conference coverage for the upcoming season is ACC's 12 team previews in 12 days.

First up is the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Check in for a new team preview and video each day.

ACC Quotables...

They said what?

"I think (in previous years) they were content with a 5-6 season or a 4-7 season," said Riley Skinner, a redshirt junior. "It kind of lost the drive on the team to go out and dominate. I think now, we're looking to get to Tampa, the ACC championship, every year, and that's our expectation. Just the work ethic that we had this summer, the work and our offseason training was miles apart from what it's been like when I first got here."

Check out this AP article on how Wake Forest is shaping up in hopes of traveling to Tampa Bay
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/02/sports/FBC-Rebuilding-Wake-Forest.php

For tickets to the ACC Championship check out www.TheRoadToTampaBay.com

For some at Georgia Tech, the Road To Tampa Bay ends back home…

Tampa Jesuit alums and former Hillsborough County All-Stars Andrew Smith, A.J. Smith, Michael Peterson, Anthony Allen, and Phil Smith will help push their team while on their journey back home to Tampa, Florida, the site of the 2008 ACC Football Championship. This is the last chance at a championship for Andrew and A.J. (no relation) who enter their senior seasons. Both played in the Yellow Jackets 2006 championship appearance against Wake Forest.

And The Road To Tampa Bay has been longer for some than others. After being awarded two varsity letters in high school, Andrew Smith, entered the Georgia Tech program as a walk-on before his hard work earned him a scholarship. Injuries held back Andrew’s 2006 season, but in 2007 he saw action in 11 games. Smith will be looked upon this season to be the veteran leader among a young group of receivers for the Yellow Jackets, and could see some time on special teams as punt returner and an “A-back” in coach Paul Johnson’s new triple option offense. Andrew also has been named on the ACC Academic Honor Roll four times and will graduate with honors in December.

Wide receiver was also the position played by Smith’s father, Barry Smith, who played collegiate football at Florida State before playing four NFL seasons for Green Bay and Tampa Bay and now serves on the board of directors for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.

Stay tuned to follow all teams as they journey down the road to Tampa Bay.


Are you on the Road To Tampa Bay? Get your tickets now at http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/ for only $25!

ACC strong with three top 25 teams, six others receiving votes

The newly released USA Today Top 25 Preseason Coaches’ Poll ranks Clemson, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest in the Top 25 for the 2008 football season. Six other ACC schools also received votes. This places the ACC alongside the SEC and Big 12 as the top conference to have teams ranked and receiving votes (nine total).

Clemson, who finished 9-4 last season and is predicted to win the ACC Championship, will begin the season ranked 9th. Defending ACC Champion Virginia Tech, who finished 11-3 last season, is predicted to be the ACC coastal division champion and begins the season ranked 15th. The 2006 ACC Champion Wake Forest, who finished last season with a 9-4 record, will begin this season ranked 23rd. The other schools receiving votes were Florida State, Boston College, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech.

It’s anyone’s race to the finish. Will you be there to see who finishes first down the Road To Tampa Bay? Get your tickets now, starting at only $25! http://www.theroadtotampabay.com/

Click here to see the entire USA Today Top 25 Poll