| California Bowl (defunct) | |
|---|---|
| California Raisin Bowl | |
| Stadium | Bulldog Stadium |
| Location | Fresno, California |
| Operated | 1981–1991 |
| Conference tie-ins | PCAA/Big West, MAC |
| Sponsors | |
California Raisin Advisory Board (1988–1991) | |
The California Bowl (later the California Raisin Bowl) was a post-season college football bowl game played annually at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1981 to 1991.[1] The game featured the champions of the Big West Conference (known prior to 1988 as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association) and the Mid-American Conference.
In 1988, the California Raisin Advisory Board purchased the naming rights to the bowl.
The game was dealt a severe blow in 1992 when Fresno State moved to the Western Athletic Conference. The MAC and Big West then moved their tie-ins to Las Vegas, Nevada and created the Las Vegas Bowl. The California Bowl made plans to hold the 1992 game without tie-ins, but was unable to find a new sponsor. When organizers came up short of a $1.75 million fundraising goal, the NCAA pulled the bowl's certification. It has never returned.[2][3]