Northwestern State/Independence Bowl Kickoff Luncheon Returns on August 21

SHREVEPORT AND NATCHITOCHES, La. (July 30, 2025) – With the 2025 football season drawing near, a staple of the summer calendar is returning to Superior’s Steakhouse in Shreveport.

The annual Northwestern State/Independence Bowl Kickoff, sponsored by John and Lynne Manno, is set for Thursday, August 21 at Superior’s Steakhouse. The luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m., one week ahead of Northwestern’s August 28 season opener against Alcorn State.

Cost for the all-inclusive lunch is $25 and includes salad, a plated meal and dessert. Reservations are being accepted by contacting the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at 318-221-0712. Attendees are asked to bring cash or check to the event to cover the cost.

“This event, which is now in its third decade, means football season has arrived,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “Since I arrived in Natchitoches, I have looked forward to opening football season with a visit to Shreveport and the chance to visit with our longtime partners in this event, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl staff. Our relationship with (Independence Bowl Executive Director) Missy Setters and her staff is one we appreciate and cherish as is the opportunity to see many Northwestern State alumni who call the Shreveport-Bossier City area home.”

“The bond between the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl and Northwestern State is very strong, and our fan base shares so many ties with their alumni and fan base,” said Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Executive Director Missy Setters. “Kevin Bostian and his staff are great friends of the Independence Bowl and are always a pleasure to work with, and we love helping them kick off their football season to their fans in the Shreveport-Bossier City area every year.”

The luncheon features Bostian, second-year Demon head coach Blaine McCorkle and members of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl staff. Bostian and McCorkle will preview the 2025 Northwestern State season while bowl staffers will provide updates on the 49th edition of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, which is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. at Independence Stadium. 

UPCOMING EVENT – Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner featuring Mack Brown

Mack Brown is a college football legend – a College Football Hall of Famer, two-time Coach of the Year and BCS National Champion –  and will be the featured speaker at the 15th Annual Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Dinner on Monday, August 18 at the Shreveport Convention Center.

Individual tickets to the event are on sale for $50 apiece, and a table of eight is $400. Tickets can be purchased at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/shop 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 p.m. for a cocktail hour and dinner buffets will open at 6:15 p.m. The program will begin at 7 p.m. with a Q&A to conclude.

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 the 2025-26 Bowl Season, and the bowl’s conference and television agreements also run through the 2025-26 season. 

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.