Cactus Bowl (Division II)
{{about|the former college football all-star game held in Kingsville, Texas|the bowl game once known as the Cactus Bowl|Rate Bowl}}
{{Infobox college football bowl game
| name = Cactus Bowl
| full_name =
| nickname =
| defunct = yes
| logo = CactusBowl-DivisionII.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Logo for the 2011 game
| stadium = Javelina Stadium (2001–2011)
Fargodome (1994–2000)
| previous_stadiums =
| location = Kingsville, Texas (2001–2011)
Fargo, North Dakota (1994–2000)
| previous_locations =
| years = 1994–2011
| previous_tie-ins =
| conference_tie-ins =
| payout =
| sponsors = Valero (2008–2010)
Whataburger (2002–2006)
| former_names = Snow Bowl (1994–2000)
}}
The Cactus Bowl (formerly the Snow Bowl) was a postseason college football all-star game played each January in Kingsville, Texas, which showcased the best NFL draft prospects of those collegiate players who had completed their eligibility in NCAA Division II. First played in 1994 at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota, as the Snow Bowl, the game moved to Javelina Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M University–Kingsville in 2001 as the Cactus Bowl.{{cite web|url=http://www.cactusbowl.org/about_us.aspx |title=About the Cactus Bowl |website=cactusbowl.org |accessdate=2010-11-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205085449/http://www.cactusbowl.org/about_us.aspx |archivedate=2010-02-05 |via=Wayback Machine }} Proceeds went to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The game typically consisted of 88 total players; in all but the final year, teams were designated East and West, composed of players from those regions of the United States. The game gave NFL scouts a chance to view the relatively low profile Division II talent, prompting its slogan of "the best players you've never seen." The bowl's website (now defunct) said that more than 100 players of the game later signed with the NFL. The bowl lasted through 2011, after which it was merged with the USA College Football Bowl of NCAA Division III.{{cite web |url=http://www.usacollegefootballbowl.com |title=USA College Football Bowl |accessdate=June 28, 2017}}
Winner
Overall records: West over East (10–5–1) and Red Storm over Blue Devils (1–0){{cite web |url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/bowls/bowl_results.php?bowlid=41 |title=Cactus Bowl Games |website=College Football Data Warehouse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905010238/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/bowls/bowl_results.php?bowlid=41 |archive-date=September 5, 2014 |via=Wayback Machine}}
Most Valuable Players
Players in the NFL
Cactus Bowl players (2001–2010) who later appeared in the NFL.{{Citation needed|reason=unsourced|date=June 2017}}
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100213165359/http://www.cactusbowl.org/default.aspx cactusbowl.org] from February 2010 – via Wayback Machine
Category:Defunct college football bowls
Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1994
Category:NCAA Division II football
Category:College football in North Dakota