Former Chairman Mike McCarthy Named to the 2025 Bowl Season Leadership Hall of Fame Class

SHREVEPORT, La. (Oct. 30, 2025) – Bowl Season announced their 2025 inductees into the Bowl Season Leadership Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 30, and former Independence Bowl Chairman Mike McCarthy is being honored by the national college football world for his endless contributions – being named as a member of Bowl Season’s Leadership Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

“Mike McCarthy embodies everything this recognition signifies,” said Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Executive Director Missy Setters. “He has been and still is one of the Independence Bowl’s biggest supporters, and the countless stories of his support are stuff of legend. Everyone locally knows Mike and what a major part of the Independence Bowl’s story he is, and we are so proud that now the national college football world will get to hear that story also.”

Bowl Season is honoring five extraordinary individuals whose leadership and vision have advanced college football’s postseason and strengthened their local communities. McCarthy joins William Flinn (Rose Bowl), Ed Placey (ESPN), Fred Sington (Birmingham Bowl) and Alan Young (Fiesta Bowl and Arizona Bowl) in the 2025 class. Together, they exemplify the values of innovation, dedication and service that define the enduring tradition of bowl games.

“The Leadership Hall of Fame allows us to celebrate the individuals whose tireless work has made bowl games a cornerstone of college football and community pride,” said Nick Carparelli, Executive Director of Bowl Season. “This year’s inductees represent a remarkable legacy of service, innovation, and passion that continues to elevate the bowl experience for student-athletes, fans, and communities nationwide.”

The Bowl Season Leadership Hall of Fame recognizes those who have held senior roles or played pivotal leadership positions, leaving a lasting mark on their respective bowls, communities, and the sport of college football. Inductees are honored for their proven record of influence, integrity, and commitment to creating meaningful programs that enrich the bowl experience. The 2025 class embodies the rich history and tradition of bowl games, having dedicated decades to advancing both their cultural and athletic impact.

McCarthy has been an integral part of the Independence Bowl since the early days in the Bowl’s 49-year history, and he has continued his tremendous support of the Independence Bowl to this day as he celebrated his 90th birthday in October of this year.

McCarthy has been a staunch supporter of local college and high school athletics for many decades, among various other civic endeavors. He was the President of the Shreveport Sports Foundation beginning in 1984. Later, he was the Independence Bowl Chairman in 1993 for a Virginia Tech vs. Indiana matchup. The matchup featured College Football Hall of Famer Frank Beamer coaching in his first bowl game.

He is a long-time member of the Independence Bowl Selection Committee and has played a major role in recruiting many Independence Bowl teams over the last 40 years – including Lou Holtz’s Minnesota team in 1985, before Holtz departed for Notre Dame following the 1985 regular season, and the in-state Tulane Green Wave in 1987. The relationships McCarthy developed with college coaches and administrators over the years helped pave the path for some of the most historic matchups in Independence Bowl history.

To recognize his dedication to the Independence Bowl and bowl games, McCarthy has received numerous awards and recognitions. One of his most prized recognitions was being awarded the Bud Dudley Bowl Executive Award in 2000. Another tremendous honor bestowed upon him was the Distinguished American Award, which he received in 1994 from the Northern Louisiana Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The award was given to a former player who has carried the lessons learned on the football field into a life of service in the community.

From his local bowl game, McCarthy has received countless honors for his everlasting support of the Independence Bowl. He was named the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year in 1985 and received the Legend Award from the Independence Bowl Foundation in 2016. He is also a two-time Volunteer of the Year – 2013 and 2021.

McCarthy has provided tremendous support to local collegiate athletics – providing financial and advisory support for LSU Shreveport and Centenary College. He has also been a constant supporter of Loyola College Prep. He has also served on and been President of local boards such as the Strand Theatre and the Shreveport Opera. 

His involvement in numerous community organizations and endeavors has earned him many honors throughout Shreveport-Bossier City. He was named a member of the Centenary College Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 1997, Loyola College Prep Flyer of the Year in 2015, LSU Shreveport Pilot of the Year in 2018 and received the LSU Shreveport Chancellor Community Partner Award in 2023.

Curtis H. Stout, of which McCarthy is President Emeritus, deals with lighting, electrical automation and audio-visual products and has previously helped light Independence Stadium and the Superdome in New Orleans.

McCarthy is a 1957 graduate of Beloit College, where he was a letter-winner in football, track and cross country. 

The 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST between the Big 12 Conference and Conference USA. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/Tickets. There is a variety of ticket packages available – including individual tickets, group tickets, Pizza Hut Family 4-Packs, Small Business Fan Packs and more. 

For more information about Bowl Season visit www.bowlseason.com and for the full list of Bowl Season major award winners including the Leadership Hall of Fame inductees click here.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game. The 49th edition will kick off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference and television agreements also run through the 2025 bowl game. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.

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