The Santa Monica College Corsairs will battle the Fullerton College Hornets in the fourth annual U.S. Bank Beach Bowl on Saturday.
The game features two teams coming off successful seasons — both ranked in the top 12 in the California Community College Football Poll for Southern California. Buoyed by a 63-0 win over East Los Angeles College, the Corsairs finished the season with a 7-3 season record, earning Southern California’s No. 12 ranking and a share of the Western States Conference Southern Division Championship. The Hornets, coming off an 8-2 season, won the Mission National Division and earned the No. 5 ranking in Southern California.
“We are incredibly excited to return to the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl after a two-year absence,” said SMC head coach Robert Taylor. “Our entire team is looking forward to the game — the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl has quickly built a reputation as being a high quality bowl game, and it will be a great challenge to take on a powerful Fullerton team.”
The U.S. Bank Beach Bowl became part of the California community college bowl series in 2000 when SMC defeated Citrus College in the inaugural game. In 2001, Glendale College defeated Fullerton, 28-13, and in 2002, LA Harbor College defeated Mt. San Jacinto, 27-7. U.S. Bank’s assistance was integral to the sanctioning of the game.
“We are very grateful that U.S. Bank has chosen to sponsor this bowl game, which means a lot to our school and community college football,” said Tommie Smith, SMC athletic director and game organizer. “We deeply appreciate our year-round partnership with U.S. Bank in putting together what should be another incredibly exciting game.”
U.S. Bank is continuing its support of Santa Monica and the entire Los Angeles and Orange County areas, contributing more than $400,000 in grants during 2003.
Saturday’s matchup will begin at 1 p.m. at SMC’s Corsair Stadium, 1900 Pico Blvd.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 21, 2003. Read the original PDF.