The Bird Bowl!!

Remember back to the inaugural game of the UTSA Roadrunner football program. The excitement in the air, the anticipation felt with a new football program’s first game, and the roar of 65,000 strong filling the Alamodome as we defeated Northeastern State. The first love is usually the one we remember but the key to a long-standing passion in the sporting world is that of a rivalry. And that void needs to be filled with the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals. Ladies and gentleman I present the Bird Bowl.

Imagine a homegrown rivalry for the two biggest Universities in the city of San Antonio, the 7^th most populous city in the nation. Why can’t we have a new football rivalry to fill the whole left by the NFL? A friendly rivalry between two local upstart scho
ols to act as a catalyst for NCAA football in the state of Texas to fill the void left by Texas A&M with their switch to the South Eastern Conference. A fresh field of competition to give this city what it deserves in this one sport town.

While this game will probably not gain much national attention at first the potential is there. With the scorning from University of Texas alum and former NFL All-Pro running back Ricky Williams’s decision to choose to coach for the UIW Roadrunners over his former sister school, a rivalry now has a major name attached for national recognition.

Ricky Williams and his UT Heisman

Who knows this inner-city rivalry can be big enough to maybe one day generate interest from a major NFL franchise. But I must digress because for now, as our schools are not even in the same division. Although this doesn’t necessarily have to be a problem if it were just a scrimmage game, with no ranking implications, that two young franchise could use to generate some excitement for their upcoming seasons.

If college is all about networking what better way to build a bridge between the two football universities than with a friendly round of football at the Alamodome.

A rivalry to show that this city can handle larger events, besides our San Antonio Spurs dominating every season, lets show the country we are ready for some football.

So fellow San Antonio sports fan how would you feel about this inner-city matchup? Do you feel it would be too one sided, or could it naturally flourish overtime with more recruits wanting to participate in the Bird Bowl? Also down the line what other major matchups could await UTSA down the road as our school grows and gains credibility? Be sure to sound off in the comments below and let this rivalry get rowdy.