Cookeville In Running To Host Blue Cross Bowl

Cookeville is competing against Chattanooga to host the next two years of the TSSAA Blue Cross Bowl.

Assistant Executive Director Matthew Gillespie said TSSAA usually conducts exploratory visits with potential hosts. But, Gillespie said the organization is comfortable with what Tennessee Tech has to offer.

“Obviously, we were there as recent as December for the football championships,” Gillespie said. “That’s obviously fresh on everybody’s mind there. Many members of the Board of Control attend that and are sort of familiar on how it works. Obviously being there over a decade now, we are all very familiar with it.”

Multiple factors play a part in the decision such as hotel space, restaurants, field conditions and the bid price tag. Gillespie said both cities are set to pitch their bids to the TSSAA Board on March 16th with a decision made that day.

“The two organizations will both present their bids to the board of controls of the TSSAA,” Gillespie said. “The board will obviously review all that information, have a discussion, ask any questions to the presenters, and then, they will make a vote.”

The high school football championships have been played at Tucker Stadium since 2009. Gillespie said a walk through and follow up questions are required with Chattanooga.

“We receive all the detailed information from the organizations whether it be a local chamber of commerce along with the university, which seems to be the most common set up,” Gillespie said. “We will communicate with those organizations regarding any questions we may have. Obviously being in Cookeville as long as we have been, there is not too many questions that we have.”