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Pioneer Bowl Provides Historic MatchupDecember 8, 2001
Two of the most successful programs in Black College football history will faceoff in the nation's only Black College football bowl game when the 5th Annual Pioneer Bowl kicks off December 22 in Atlanta. Tuskegee University (10-1) and Virginia Union University (8-2) bring a rich history of success over the years. Both schools will enter the game as conference champions; Tuskegee from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Virginia Union from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Both schools have post season experience. Tuskegee, winners of 19 SIAC Championships over the years, is the defending Pioneer Bowl Champion and will be making its 16th post season appearance. Virginia Union sports seven CIAA Championships and six NCAA Division II playoff berths. The game will also feature two of the top coaches in Black College football. Tuskegee, the winningest program in Black College football with 542 victories, is the defending Black College National Champion. The Golden Tigers have won 22 of their last 23 games and are led by the 2000 Sheridan Broadcasting Network Coach of the Year, Rick Comegy. Comegy, in his sixth season at the Alabama institution, has compiled a 53-16 record at the school. His team made history last year as one of four colleges in the nation with an undefeated season. Overall, Comegy is 71-41 in ten seasons, which includes a stint at Central State University in Ohio. Virginia Union is fifth on the all-time winningest list with 469 victories. The Panthers are led by Willard Bailey, "The Dean of CIAA Football". Bailey, a 28 year veteran collegiate football coach, is the winningest head coach in CIAA history, with combined stints at Virginia Union and Norfolk State University producing a career record of 199-102-7. Nationally, Bailey ranks second on the list of winningest active coaches in NCAA Division II. He is also the second winningest active coach in Black College football (all divisions) behind Florida A&M's Billy Joe. Kick-off is set for 1:30 pm in the Georgia Dome, Saturday December 22, 2001.
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