UTICA, N.Y. — Utica University will kick off this year’s football season with the 7th annual Believe Bowl on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Charles A. Gaetano Stadium, where the Pioneers will take on the Union College Garnet Chargers, Utica University announced.
For the past several years, the Utica University football team has teamed up with the Believe 271 Foundation to help support first responders and EMTs in Oneida and Herkimer counties who are battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. The Believe Bowl game raises funds for the foundation as well as raising awareness and honoring local heroes.
The 2024 Believe Bown Honorary Captains are Utica firefighter Esher Kanyaw, who is battling liver cancer, and Sylvan Beach firefighter Colin Isom, who is being treated for ataxia. Kanyaw and Isom, who each received captain’s jerseys, will lead the Pioneer team captains onto the field for the coin flip. Mastrovito Hyundai is sponsoring the event and hosting a VIP tent for the honorary captains, their families, and the Believe 271 Foundation.
There will be a 50-50 raffle during the game, with all proceeds going directly to the Believe 271 Foundation.
All Utica players will wear Believe Bowl helmet stickers on Friday while coaching staff will sport Believe Bowl hats and shirts.
Founded in 2014, the Believe 271 Foundation, Inc., has provided 120 financial gifts totaling $445,000 to first responders needing treatment.