The Gem City Bowl was an all-star college football game played at Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1964, typically on Thanksgiving Day.
The East / West squads were made up of outstanding seniors from the Big Ten, Mid-American Conference, Pennsylvania State Conference, Mid-Atlantic Conference, and players from Independent schools east of the Mississippi River."Gem City Bowl Game Slated Thanksgiving", Jamestown NY Post Journal. November 23, 1960.
The game was discontinued following the 1964 season due to poor ticket sales."Frankly Speaking", Jamestown NY Post Journal. December 2, 1964.
Game results Six Gem City Bowl games were played. East won 4 games, West won 2 games.
Gem City Bowl Date Winner Loser Attendance Winning Coach November 27, 1958 West 31 East 15 7,000 Ara Parseghian, Northwestern"West Wins Gem City Bowl Tilt", Jamestown NY Post Journal. November 28, 1958. November 26, 1959 East 17 West 16 7,000 Frank Reagan, Villanova"Sanders Stalls West's Attack, Evans Scores TD for East", Buffalo NY Evening News. November 27, 1959. November 24, 1960 East 27 West 26 6,500 Loyal K. Park, Edinboro State"Bukaty Leads East to Win In Gem Bowl", Rochester NY Democrat and Chronicle. November 25, 1960. November 23, 1961 East 21 West 12 3,500 Dick Offenhamer, Buffalo"Clayback, Selent Play Major Roles in the Gem Bowl", Buffalo NY Evening News. November 24, 1961. November 21, 1962 West 12 East 8 3,000 John Pont, Miami (Ohio)"West Team Rally Wins Gem Bowl", Philadelphia PA Inquirer. November 22, 1962. November 21, 1964 East 19 West 12 3,800 Alexander F. Bell, Villanova"East Stars Win Gem Bowl, 19-12, In 2nd Half Drive", Rochester NY Democrat and Chronicle. November 22, 1964.
See also List of college bowl games
References
External links Gem City Bowl – All-Star Football Game at University at Buffalo Libraries Sports History Collection