By Lynn Pearcey
Introduction
Being gainfully employed on Sundays is a job college football players all over the nation wake to chase. It starts at the training table, where diet and nutrition fuel their drive before moving to the weight room to meticulously build their armor. From there, it’s on to practice fields to perfect their moves and various nuances of their positions before finally arriving at the ultimate prize of game day, where their efforts are tested. It’s not for everyone and suffice it to say that the quest to become a professional football player is a tireless pursuit bursting with rewards that come at a heavy price.
Unfortunately, some talented players are often forced to wake up to the truth that the playing field isn’t always level. It isn’t always level, nor is it balanced in that every player doesn’t get the same chance and doesn’t get the same look from professional scouts and key decision-makers. As a result, they’re not positioned to see that dream they’re pursuing become a reality.
They Too Have A Dream
In the spirit of the great civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, The Dream Bowl was founded. Led by sports and event planning guru Neil Malvone the game is based on the premise that every player, no matter where they played college ball., deserves the chance to compete at the next level, “In 2013 I realized there were some very talented Division III players who didn’t have the platform to truly showcase their skills. All they needed was a chance to show scouts they had what it took to make it to the next level, and that’s what this game does; it gives them a chance,” said Malvone.
Since its inception, the three-day event that features food, fun, family, and, of course, football has been well-received by coaches and players. The game has also widened its’ profile net, infusing some lesser-known Division I and Division II players into their roster mix. “We’re never going to pursue schools from the SEC, Big Ten, or any of the major conferences as we feel that, by and large, those places get the spotlight and treatment kids at this game don’t. But on occasion, we’ll reach out to a player from those major conferences who has talent and matches our profile,” commented Malvone.
Aside from the schools they attend, size and speed play a major role in the selection process. “Two things no one can coach are size and speed. Over the years, we’ve learned that no matter where they played, the NFL will come and look at a player standing 6 ‘5 and weighing 320 pounds or one with blazing speed, and sometimes, all those players need is a look.”
The Changing Landscape of College Football
College football finds itself in the midst of an extreme evolution with NIL money and the transfer portal ruling the day. When asked his thoughts on the state of the game, Malvone remains hopeful, but longs for the days of old. “It’s certainly not the game I grew up watching and, in my mind, it’s more of a business than a pure sport the way it used to be. The loyalty that helped make the game so special from a player, coach, and fan perspective is gone. I wish it could go back to what it used to be, but now that the proverbial toothpaste is out of the tube, putting it back in is going to be a challenge.”
The Move To Texas
Initially played in Virginia, the game has migrated to the football hotbed of Texas in recent years, thanks in large part to the efforts of Reggie Calhoun, a visionary devoted to helping athletes reach their full potential. Calhoun, who played collegiately at Louisiana College, saw the immense potential of the game, and immediately began pitching to move the game to Texas. “When you say football, the first state that comes to mind is Texas, and that was a no-brainer. I knew for the game and, more importantly, the players to make the most of this opportunity, moving the game south was a must,” said Calhoun.
Something For Everyone
The primary goal is exposure to scouts, executives, and coaches, but Calhoun also views the game as an educational opportunity. “Some players come into their football journey thinking NFL or bust and that’s a mistake. While the NFL is always the ultimate goal, it may require some stops along the way,” Calhoun mentioned. While it’s far and away the most high-profile league in the world, the NFL isn’t the only game in town. “So many players are so focused on making it to the NFL that they lose sight of the CFL, XFL, UFL, and ELF. All of these are roads that some of these players who compete in this game might have to walk to reach the NFL,” said Calhoun.
While football is at the core of the event, Calhoun stated the beauty of the Dream Bowl is the all-inclusive nature surrounding the game. “Pro football dreams extend beyond the playing field. Some want to be coaches at the highest level, we’ve got opportunities for them here. Others may want to work behind the cameras, in the media, or training room and we’ve tailored the event so that they can also be seen,” Calhoun stated.
Looking Toward The Future
When asked about the future of the game, both Malvone and Calhoun were extremely optimistic. With determination in his voice, Malvone closed by saying, “As long as we have the support of the NFL and as long as the players are willing to put forth the effort, we’re committed to staging the event with the promise of making it bigger and better with each passing year. They’re not giving up on their dreams, and we’re definitely not giving up on our dream of helping them make theirs a reality.”