The name “Tangerine Bowl” can refer to two college football bowl games, both played in Orlando, Florida, at Camping World Stadium, at different periods:
– the bowl game played in 1947-1983
– the game played in 2001-2003
Originating in 1947 as the Orlando Bowl, and later rebranded as the Tangerine Bowl, this college football event etched itself into the annals of sports history. Birthed in the vibrant city of Orlando, Florida, it served as more than just a game; it was a celebration of athletic prowess and competition.
Throughout its tenure, the Tangerine Bowl became a canvas for historic sporting narratives, hosting future NFL luminaries and exceptional collegiate squads. Notably, it stood as a beacon of inclusivity in an era marred by racial discrimination in sports. These milestones not only embellished its legacy but also cemented its place in the chronicles of college football.
In its current avatar as the Cheez-It Bowl, the essence of the Tangerine Bowl lives on. Anchored in the Camping World Stadium, it draws fans from far and wide, continuing its legacy as a premier event in the college football calendar. The evolution into the Cheez-It Bowl represents a nod to its historic past and an embrace of the ever-changing tapestry of college sports.
What is Tangerine Bowl?
Far from a corporate entity, it began as the Orlando Bowl, evolving into the Tangerine Bowl, a cornerstone event in college football. Established in 1947 in Orlando, this bowl game became a stage for showcasing emerging football talent and storied teams. Today, as the Cheez-It Bowl, it remains a pivotal part of the sport’s season, marrying its rich historical tapestry with the thrill of modern college football.
The original Tangerine Bowl logo was designed in 2001 and only stayed in use for one season. The composition of the badge was built around an enlarged drawing of a tangerine, placed on the left from a diagonally located rugby ball: behind the fruit and the ball, the part of a clean geometric sun in yellow could be seen. As for the next part of the visual identity, the wordmark in orange capitals of a bold and shadowed sans-serif typeface was set over a solid green background of a horizontally stretched rectangular banner with rounded angles. Simple, literate, and slightly naive, the badge still was bright and memorable.
The Tangerine Bowl logo of 2002 featured a large tangerine and a brown football. In the background, a part of the gold sun with triangular sunrays could be seen. At the forefront, there was a green board housing the name of the game. When the game became known as the Mazda Tangerine Bowl in 2002, the emblem was slightly modified. The board was now blue and housed the lettering “Mazda” in white. Below the board, the text “Tangerine Bowl” in orange could be seen.