Shreveport's Independence Bowl announced this morning a long-term agreement with one of the United States service academies, Army, to appear in future Independence Bowls.

The agreement will run from the 2020 game through the 2025 game, and will make Army a primary tie-in for those games.

Here's more from the release:

"Army's primary tie-in in Shreveport places them in the Independence Bowl in 2020, 2022 and 2024, provided they gain bowl eligibility in each year. The new agreement represents the first time Army will be represented in the Independence Bowl as a primary tie-in.

 “The Independence Bowl Foundation is excited to feature Army West Point as a primary tie-in for our game for three of the next six years and continuing the strong tradition of honoring our military men and women here in Shreveport,” stated 2019 Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Art Carmody IV. “Their football program is steeped in college football tradition with bowl victories, national championships, and Heisman Trophy winners. Army represents all that is great about the game of college football.”

 

“Army football is ecstatic to be partnering with our friends at the Independence Bowl for the next Bowl cycle," said Army West Point Director of Athletics Mike Buddie. "Having played in Shreveport previously, we are well aware of how the community embraces this bowl and our cadet-athletes will thoroughly enjoy the experience.  I want to thank Missy Setters for all of her hard work to make this announcement a reality and we look forward to this opportunity.”

 

Army has made one appearance in the Independence Bowl’s 43-year history – falling to Auburn in the 1996 Independence Bowl. The Black Knights have played in eight bowl games in program history, including three bowl games in the past three years.

 

A clause in the agreement allows Army the opportunity to accept a bid from a different bowl game once in the three-year cycle with the Independence Bowl. Army's future opponents and further details on the future Independence Bowl matchups from 2020-2025 will be announced at a later date. The 2019 Walk-On's Independence Bowl will be the final game with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Southeastern Conference (SEC) as the primary tie-ins. The 44th-edition of the bowl will be played on Thursday, December 26 at 3 p.m. CT at Independence Stadium."

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