Gridiron Classic (1999–2005)
The Gridiron Classic, also known as the Rotary Gridiron classic and later the Villages Gridiron Classic, was the name of an annual post-season college football game played from 1999 through 2005. From 1999 to 2003, it was an all-star game featuring a team representing Florida versus a team from the rest of the United States. It was generally held in mid-January at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, but for 2004 and 2005 it was played at The Villages Polo Stadium in The Villages, Florida. During the two years at the Villages, the game changed to a North vs. South format.
On August 19, 2005, Florida Citrus Sports canceled The Villages Gridiron Classic for the year 2006. The organization failed to find a sponsor, after The Villages, a retirement community 60 miles north of Orlando, decided not to renew the annual game at their facility.[1]
Game results
| Date | Winning Team | Losing Team | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 16, 1999 | Team Florida | 17 | Team USA | 9 | Orlando, Florida |
| January 15, 2000 | Team USA | 21 | Team Florida | 14 | Orlando, Florida |
| January 13, 2001 | Team Florida | 10 | Team USA | 0 | Orlando, Florida |
| January 26, 2002 | Team Florida | 42 | Team USA | 13 | Orlando, Florida |
| January 25, 2003 | Team USA | 20 | Team Florida | 17 | Orlando, Florida |
| January 31, 2004 | North All-Stars | 35 | South All-Stars | 31 | The Villages, Florida |
| January 15, 2005 | South All-Stars | 24 | North All-Stars | 21 | The Villages, Florida |