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Barber Goes To Bat For Tampa's ACC Bid

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Tampa Bay Sports Commission executive director Rob Higgins and a group of Tampa officials were close to finishing their presentation to Atlantic Coast Conference athletic directors in Raleigh, N.C., on Tuesday when Higgins' cell phone rang.

The surprise caller was Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber, University of Virginia alum and strong supporter of Tampa's bid to land the ACC football championship game. Barber asked Higgins how the meeting was going and if there was anything he could do to help. By the time Higgins finished responding, Barber and his big smile walked into the room.

During the next several minutes, Barber tried to convince the room full of ACC officials that Tampa would be a great host city for the league's football championship game, which has called only Jacksonville home in its brief history. Tampa, Jacksonville and Charlotte each made presentations Tuesday to host the game from 2008 to 2010. A decision is expected shortly after this year's game in Jacksonville, scheduled Dec. 1.

Higgins returned home early Tuesday evening feeling good about Tampa's bid.

"I think Ronde was an incredible cleanup hitter," Higgins said. "He is such a phenomenal community asset. I think everything went well."

Scott Carter

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