Kickoff Dinner Featuring Tyrann Mathieu Less than Three Weeks Away

SHREVEPORT, La. (July 30, 2026) – The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner, featuring LSU legend Tyrann Mathieu, returns to the Shreveport Convention Center in less than one month on Monday, August 17. 

Individual tickets to the event are on sale for $75 apiece, and a table of eight is $600. Fans can purchase tickets at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/product/kickoff-dinner or by calling the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at 318.221.0712 or toll-free at 888.414.BOWL.

Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for a cocktail hour, and dinner buffets will be available starting at 6:15 p.m. The program  – emceed by Patrick Netherton, as it is each year – will begin at 7 p.m. and include a Q&A session with Mathieu hosted by Hunt Palmer, who hosts the Hunt Palmer Show weekdays on 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge and LSU Football Pre and Post-Game Shows for the LSU Sports Radio Network. 

The Q&A session will conclude with fan-submitted questions. Fans can submit their questions by emailing Erik Evenson, Independence Bowl Director of Communications, at [email protected].

Mathieu rose to prominence as a member of the LSU Tigers in 2010 and 2011, as he was college football’s premier game-changer, causing turnovers on defense and scoring electric touchdowns on special teams. He enhanced his game-breaking reputation in the National Football League (NFL) during his 12-year career, being named First-Team All-Pro three times and Second-Team All-Pro once. He was also a key member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV-winning defense.

The Kickoff Dinner featuring Tryann Mathieu is presented by Hargrove Roofing, Morehead Pools, Shreveport Rubber & Gasket, Wieland and Willis Knighton Health.

He joins the prestigious list of names who have spoken at the event over the first 15 years of the event, which includes Terry Bradshaw, Bobby Bowden, Lou Holtz, Jason Witten, Emmitt Smith, Archie Manning, Herschel Walker, Steve Spurrier, Drew Brees, Devin White, Marcus Spears, Kim Mulkey, Paul Skenes, Holly Rowe and Mack Brown. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary game set for Tuesday, December 22, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is a prominent presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to 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.