Martin Specialty Coatings to Sponsor 2nd Annual Charity Round of the Big Game Show

SHREVEPORT, La. (Dec. 26, 2025) – For the second straight year, the annual Big Game Show – scheduled for tonight, December 26 at the Big Game Welcome Party – is going bigger than ever. Martin Specialty Coatings is sponsoring the second annual Charity Round of the Big Game Show between Coastal Carolina and Louisiana Tech.

The Big Game Show, a trivia-style game show between the two teams, is always one of the most fun events of Bowl Week and kicks off the competition between the teams, and this year the stakes will be higher than even last year. During tonight’s Big Game Show, each team will compete for designated Shreveport-Bossier charity during the Charity Round, presented by Martin Specialty Coatings. 

“Martin Specialty Coatings is excited to be part of this unique Independence Bowl experience for another year,” said Martin Specialty Coatings Chief Executive Officer Tim Keeley. “We are proud to work with the Independence Bowl and are thankful to them for helping make Northwest Louisiana a better place. We look forward to seeing these teams compete off the field to help support two amazing causes.”

The stakes will also be higher this year – with $10,000 being donated to the winning team’s charity and $5,000 to the losing team’s charity, which is doubled from last year.

The two charitable organizations competing this year are The Hub Ministry and Hannah House. Each team will represent one of these organizations, with one of them taking home the $10,000 donation. In total, $15,000 will be donated to these two charities through the partnership between Martin Specialty Coatings and the Independence Bowl Foundation.

“We, at The Hub, are thrilled to be a part of this year’s Independence Bowl as one of the charities benefiting from the generosity of Martin Specialty Coatings and the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl,” said  The Hub Ministry Founder and Executive Director Cassie Hammett. “The Hub is on a mission to give everyone in our city access to a restored life, and that takes all of us. This opportunity means the world to our ministry, and we can’t wait to be a part!”

“We at Hannah House are beyond grateful to be recognized at this event,” said Hannah House Director Melanie Wright. “We are thankful to have a community that stands up and supports life as an alternative to abortion.”

Foundation members receive an invitation for two people to the Big Game Welcome Party every year, which opens Bowl Week every year for the teams. To join the Independence Bowl Foundation and receive an invitation to the Big Game Welcome Party and other foundation events, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/membership.

The 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST between Coastal Carolina and Louisiana Tech. 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 ticketing questions, fans can email [email protected] or call the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at (318) 221-0712. 

For information on Independence Stadium rules and the clear bag policy, please visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/stadium-rules/. Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.com to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win. 

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.