Joseph M. Cosumano, Jr. to Receive 2020 Omar N. Bradley “Spirit of Independence” Award

Some of America’s most outstanding and decorated citizens and groups have been honored with the Omar N. Bradley “Spirit of Independence” Award – presented each year at the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, and the Independence Bowl Foundation has selected retired United States Army Lieutenant General Joseph M. Cosumano, Jr. (KOZ-ooh-mon-oh) as the 44th recipient of the prestigious award.

“General Cosumano is one of the greatest patriots I have ever known,” said Radiance Technologies CEO Bill Bailey. “I watched Joe lead the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command to accomplish amazing technologies to protect the American citizens. He very much deserves this recognition. He is a Shreveport native that has served our country with honor and distinction.”

LTG Cosumano – a graduate of Northwestern State University – served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 2004, and has been honored with a plethora of decorations throughout his career. In his 35 years of service, he was honored with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star. The Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster denotes receiving each respective award multiple times.

“I am honored to have served with and for the men and women of the greatest Military on Earth,” noted LTG Cosumano. “I accept this award on their behalf, as it represents all their sacrifices and those of their families to keep America and the world safe!”

“General Cosumano is exactly the type of service-oriented, dedicated, independent-thinking patriot we wish to honor with the Spirit of Independence Award,” remarked 2020 Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Frank Auer. “He is also one of ours. We are so fortunate to have a favorite son who has achieved so much and represented us and our nation so well. We are delighted to present this award in appreciation for General Cosumano’s lasting contributions to our country.”

Cosumano began his path to a military career at Northwestern State – where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, while also being in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. He later received his commission in the U.S. Army as Second Lieutenant through the program, beginning his 35 years of military service.

The multitude of accomplishments and successes in LTG Cosumano’s U.S. Army career are headlined by his efforts to lead the U.S. military equipment and defenses into the 21st century. He was the chief of the Army’s Force Modernization program, where he was responsible for the requirements and funding of all Army equipment and equipping and designing all organizations of the Army. Along with that, he also was the Director of the Objective Force Task Force to develop requirements, technology and resources for the Army in the 21st century.

LTG Cosumano was also the program manager of the National Missile Defense – initiating, funding and bringing under contract the most challenging Department of Defense program in record time. The program was designed to defend the U.S. against intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) attacks. It was fielded just seven years after its inception in 2004, which is 11 years quicker than average Department of Defense programs of this size are fielded.

His final assignment in the Army was as the Commanding General of the Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) and the U.S. Army Space Command. In this role, he led the organization that was tasked to support war fighters. The organization was also responsible for developing the space and missile defense programs, with over 2,000 scientists and engineers in Huntsville, Ala.

Following his decorated military career, Cosumano was the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for ATK Thiokol from 2004 to 2005. In this role, he was tasked with developing a new strategy plan for the company following the elimination of the Shuttle Program, and he identified Thiokol products that became a part of NASA’s new ARES program and ICBM upgrade programs for the Navy and Air Force.

From 2005 to 2008, Cosumano served as the Senior Vice President of Kellogg Brown and Root. At KBR, LTG Cosumano helped a company that was on the brink of default on several Department of Defense projects and helped the organization surge to 64,000 employees worldwide and greater than $5 billion annually in revenue. Some of the key projects and programs under Cosumano were Logistics and Engineering across Iraq and Afghanistan (LOGCAP) and Restoration of Iraq Oil.

Following his time at KBR, Cosumano spent 2008 to 2011 as the President and CEO of Agility Defense and Government Services. At Agility, he established policies and procedures for the small, family-owned business to establish a Special Security Arrangement (SSA) – firewall required by the Department of Defense to operate in the U.S. Defense Market. Cosumano set up a strategic plan and board of directors that facilitated rapid growth and a strong business network with high-level defense companies.

Cosumano’s final role was as the President and CEO of the CFD Research Corporation in Huntsville, Ala. from 2013 to 2016. He led one of the nation’s top research and development companies – leveraging the company’s aerospace high-fidelity modeling knowledge to apply it to bio-technical and bio-medical solutions. Cosumano has served as a CFD board member from 2016-2020.

LTG Cosumano will accept the 2020 Omar N. Bradley “Spirit of Independence” Award at the 2020 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.

General Omar N. Bradley was the first recipient of the “Spirit of Independence Award,” and presented it each year until his death, after which his name was added to the award.

Since the award’s inception, this honor has been bestowed upon outstanding American citizens, or organizations, which symbolize the spirit of freedom and independence on which the United States of America was founded. Some past recipients include: John Wayne, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, and recently, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Berlin Airlift Veterans, Veterans of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, retired Marine Corporal Jacob P. Schick, Brigadier General Jeannie M. Leavitt and retired Air Force Lieutenant General James M. Kowalski.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL:

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl – college football’s 11th-oldest bowl game – played its 44th-edition on December 26, 2019.  Louisiana Tech recorded the first shutout in the game’s history with a 14-0 victory over Miami. The Independence Bowl Foundation announced a five-year agreement with Huntsville, Ala.-based Radiance Technologies to be the game’s title sponsor on April 21, 2020 and announced new primary agreements in January 2020 that will bring a rotation of Army West Point and BYU to Shreveport to face off against a rotation of the Pac-12 Conference, American Athletic Conference and Conference USA.

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, Twitter and Instagram at @IndyBowl.

Ticket Renewals for 2020 Independence Bowl Hit the Shelves

Ticket renewals for the 2020 Independence Bowl are underway now, with fans able to renew their tickets before three deadlines at the end of June, July and August.

The first deadline on June 30 is for fans to renew endzone bench seats, followed by a July 31 deadline for sideline bench seats and an August 31 deadline for sideline chairback and club seats. Fans must renew prior to their respective deadline in order to guarantee their same seats for the 2020 game. Those who renew their tickets prior to the deadline will also receive a coupon for a free quesadilla from Dillas Quesadillas.

Along with renewing ticket purchases for the 2020 Independence Bowl, fans may also pre-purchase parking passes and shuttle passes with their ticket orders. For more information on ticket renewals, fans should contact Independence Bowl Ticket Manager Jeffrey Coye at jcoye@radiancetechnologiesindependencebowl.com.

JOIN THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL FOUNDATION 

Along with renewing ticket orders, fans also have the opportunity to become an Independence Bowl Foundation member. Memberships begin at just $200 per year and include benefits such as a game day parking pass and invitations to the Member Crawfish Boil, Annual Meeting, Family Fish Fry, and Team Welcome Party. Members who are 35-or-younger or live 35 miles or more outside of Shreveport-Bossier City may join the foundation as an Associate member for just $100 per year. Fans can get more information on the Independence Bowl Foundation or join the foundation at IndependenceBowl.org/membership/.

ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL:

The Independence Bowl, the 11th-oldest bowl game, played its 44th-edition on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana between the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes. Louisiana Tech earned their third Independence Bowl victory – defeating Miami 14-0 and recording the first shutout in the bowl’s history. The Independence Bowl announced new primary agreements in January 2020 that will bring a rotation of Army West Point and BYU to Shreveport to face off against a rotation of the Pac-12 Conference, American Athletic Conference and Conference USA. 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. For more information, visit IndependenceBowl.org or follow the bowl on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @IndyBowl.

Army West Point to be Featured in Independence Bowl’s Next Bowl Cycle

The Independence Bowl, the nation’s 11th-oldest bowl game, will feature a new look beginning in 2020 – one that is highlighted by Army West Point, as the Independence Bowl will feature Army West Point as a primary tie-in for three years from 2020-2025.

Army’s primary tie-in in Shreveport places them in the Independence Bowl in 2020, 2022 and 2024, provided they gain bowl eligibility in each year. The new agreement represents the first time Army will be represented in the Independence Bowl as a primary tie-in.

 “The Independence Bowl Foundation is excited to feature Army West Point as a primary tie-in for our game for three of the next six years and continuing the strong tradition of honoring our military men and women here in Shreveport,” stated 2019 Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Art Carmody IV. “Their football program is steeped in college football tradition with bowl victories, national championships, and Heisman Trophy winners. Army represents all that is great about the game of college football.”

“Army football is ecstatic to be partnering with our friends at the Independence Bowl for the next Bowl cycle,” said Army West Point Director of Athletics Mike Buddie. “Having played in Shreveport previously, we are well aware of how the community embraces this bowl and our cadet-athletes will thoroughly enjoy the experience.  I want to thank Missy Setters for all of her hard work to make this announcement a reality and we look forward to this opportunity.”

Army has made one appearance in the Independence Bowl’s 43-year history – falling to Auburn in the 1996 Independence Bowl. The Black Knights have played in eight bowl games in program history, including three bowl games in the past three years.

A clause in the agreement allows Army the opportunity to accept a bid from a different bowl game once in the three-year cycle with the Independence Bowl. Army’s future opponents and further details on the future Independence Bowl matchups from 2020-2025 will be announced at a later date. The 2019 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl will be the final game with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Southeastern Conference (SEC) as the primary tie-ins. The 44th-edition of the bowl will be played on Thursday, December 26 at 3 p.m. CT at Independence Stadium.

Tickets are available now and are $30 for endzone bench seats, $45 for sideline bench seats and $50 for sideline chairback seats. Group ticket packages are also available for just $15 apiece for groups of 20-or-more. For more information about all the ticket packages for the 2019 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl, visit WalkOnsIndependenceBowl.com/tickets.

ABOUT THE WALK-ON’S INDEPENDENCE BOWL:

The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl, the 11th-oldest bowl game, will play its 44th-edition on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. CT at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Duke Blue Devils won their first Independence Bowl in 2018, defeating the Temple Owls 56-27. The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl enjoys primary conference agreements with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Southeastern Conference (SEC), as well as backup agreements with the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and Conference USA (C-USA). The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl and Independence Bowl Foundation are prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. For more information, visit WalkOnsIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @IndyBowl.