Boca Raton Bowl Fan Fest and Family Midway hype up Liberty crowd for bowl game

Fans and Alumni of both Liberty University and the University of Toledo gathered outside Florida Atlantic University for the fan fest and family midway prior to the start of the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 20.

The 2022 RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl featured a matchup of the Liberty Flames against the MAC Champion Toledo Rockets.

This event, held from 3-7 pm., provided everyone with the opportunity to fellowship together before kickoff. Each school hosted tents on either side of the bowl game VIP area. Liberty fans were provided a variety of different foods in a buffet at the center of the tent.

Fans were also treated to a “battle of the bands” between the University of Toledo marching band and Liberty’s Spirit of the Mountain, continuing the showdown that began the day before at the bowl pep rally.

Dr. Seipp, director of athletic bands at Liberty University, said that he thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to represent Liberty at the fan fest.

The fan fest with Liberty Flames club and fans was on fire. All you could see was red and the band loved playing for the team walk and getting the crowd hyped up. I think we set the tone for the whole game with the energy at fan fest,” Seipp said.

Liberty fans from around the country congregated to the Flames tent to grab a bite to eat.

In addition to the fan tents, the bowl also hosted the family midway, a sectioned off area outside the stadium that contained a variety of different carnival rides for families.

Souvenir tents spread across the lawn, offering t-shirts, hats and other items to fans waiting to enter the stadium.

“(The Fan Fest) is awesome. The sport is amazing. We are originally Razorback fans, but this is on the same level as Power 5 fan support,” said Patrick McCone, whose son Owen is a freshman linebacker on the Flames.

McCone traveled from Fayetteville, Ark. for the event after attending each of the Liberty’s home games this season.

Another fan who attended the fan event was Steven Hakun, a member of Liberty’s Jokers. He also expressed excitement at the pregame festivities in advancement of the evening competition.

“It’s just an overall fun buildup, especially when you get to face a Group of Five Champion in Toledo going into Conference USA,” Hakun said.

Liberty announced in early 2022 that the program would transition to Conference USA to begin the 2023 academic calendar, officially placing Flames football in a conference after five years as an FBS Independent.

The Boca Raton fan fest also provided fans with a first chance look at both teams as players arrived at the stadium and were ushered in by band members and cheerleaders for the game.

“The Spirit of the Mountain marching band was so grateful for the opportunity to cheer on the team and fans, and we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the students, players, spirit squad and coaches this season. God has blessed us so much and we give Him all the glory.”

Liberty lost the bowl game by a score of 21-19 and finished the season 8-5 with four straight losses. The team entered Tuesday’s contest 3-0 in bowl games.

The team will now turn its eyes to next season as it aims to compete in Conference USA with newly hired Head Coach Jamey Chadwell.