Bacardi Bowl

Collegebowl
name = Bacardi Bowl
full_name =
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defunct = yes
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stadium = La Tropical Stadium
previous_stadiums =
location = Havana, Cuba
previous_locations =
years = 1907, 1910, 1912, 1921, 1937, 1946
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prev_matchup_year = 1937
prev_matchup_season= 1936
prev_matchup_teams = Auburn vs. Villanova
prev_matchup_score = 7-7
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Bacardi Bowl was a college football bowl game played seven times in Havana, Cuba at La Tropical Stadium. Sometimes referred to as the Rhumba Bowl or the Cigar Bowl, the game was the climaxing event of Cuba’s annual National Sports Festival. The first five occurrences matched an American college team (all from the Deep South) against Cuban universities or athletic clubs.

Complete results

"Italics denote a tie game."

Notable games

1907 - LSU vs. Havana University

The first Bacardi Bowl in 1907 matched Louisiana State University against Havana University. This gave LSU the honor of being the first American college team to play on foreign soil. The Tigers took the Cuban team by surprise on Christmas Day at Almendares Park and LSU walked away with a convincing 56-0 victory before 10,000 fans.

1937 - Auburn vs. Villanova

Auburn’s bowl history began with the 1937 game when the Tigers and Villanova tied 7-7. This game marked the first time that two United States universities played a game on foreign soil. An Auburn drive in the first quarter stalled on the 10-yard line where the Wildcats took over on downs. After a Villanova punt, Auburn running back Billy Hitchcock broke loose around left end and rambled 40 yards for the Tigers' only score. The score at the half was Auburn 7, Villanova 0.

Auburn stopped a Villanova drive on its own 12-yard line during the third quarter but couldn’t get field position. Villanova was able to tie the score when they blocked an Auburn quick kick and the ball bounced into the endzone where Wildcat Lineman Matthews Kuber fell on it for the score. The PAT tied up the game. Auburn’s return to the United States marked an end to more than 11,000 miles of travel for the 7-2-2 Tigers that finished the season ranked 13th in the nation under coach Jack Meagher.

The game was played in a revolutionary atmosphere. Fulgencio Batista, the dictator who would be overthrown by Fidel Castro 22 years later, had just assumed power. The game was almost canceled because Batista’s picture was not in the game program. A quick trip to the printer saved the Bacardi Bowl and allowed Auburn’s bowl history to get off to a significant and historical beginning.

After the demise of the Bacardi Bowl, an NCAA football game would not be played outside the US until the 1977 matchup between the Grambling State Tigers and the Temple Owls played in Tokyo, Japan. This was the inaugural Mirage Bowl, which despite its name was conducted in the regular season, and was played annually (with different matchups each year) until 1993. The next "postseason" game played outside the US would not take place until 2007, when Cincinnati defeated Western Michigan in the International Bowl held in Toronto.

ee also

List of college bowl games