TALLAHASSEE, FL – Teams from the State of Florida have dominated college football over the past few decades. The state’s “Big Three” – Florida State, Miami, and Florida – are annually ranked among the top teams in national polls and have claimed five of the last ten national collegiate football championships.

Beginning in 2002, thanks to a partnership between the Florida Sports Foundation and Florida Championship Awards, Inc., one of the “Big Three” will be awarded The Florida Cup - symbolic of the state champion.

"As the Sports Capital of the World, it's only natural that Florida's "Big Three" college football teams are among the nation's elite," said Governor Jeb Bush. "For the next two years these football powerhouses will compete for the Florida Cup. Whether you're a Gator, Hurricane, or Seminole fan, this prestigious trophy will represent the best in college football and give the victorious team bragging rights until next season."

The three teams have already assumed their typical top ten rankings in preseason polls. Defending national champion University of Miami is ranked No. 1, followed closely by Florida State (No. 4) and the University of Florida (No. 7). This season marks the first time in nearly two decades that the Big 3 schools will all play each other in a round-robin format during the regular season. The new series will finally give Gator, Hurricane, and Seminole fans the ability to tout their team as the best in the state and most likely the nation. The Florida Sports Foundation, official sports promotion and development organization of the State of Florida, will present The Florida Cup a special event at the end of the season.

The Florida Sports Foundation is a private, not-for-profit corporation operating under contract with the Governor’s Office of Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development. It is responsible for promoting youth, amateur, and professional sports throughout the state. The Foundation coordinates the Sunshine State Games, Senior Games, and is involved in promoting hundreds of sporting events. It will conduct The Florida Cup program in concert with Florida Championship Awards, Inc. of Palm Beach Gardens.

“When FCAI approached us about the idea of creating a program to recognize the winner of this important series of games, we thought it was a terrific idea,” said Foundation President Larry Pendleton. “We’re proud of the outstanding performance of these three universities and we now have an opportunity to recognize the best team in the state based on their performance on the field.”

The prestigious design firm, Tallahassee Engraving and Awards will create a distinctive trophy. The firm is best known for its design of the Biletnikoff Trophy, annually presented to the nation’s outstanding wide receiver. Several corporate partners will be involved in promoting The Florida Cup via in-store appearances throughout the state.

“We’re really excited to be involved in this program and are grateful to the Florida Sports Foundation for its support,” said Roy Hamlin, president of FCAI. Hamlin was one of the original creators of the Sears Trophy, which is presented annually to the collegiate national football champions. “Fans of these three programs are very proud of what their schools have achieved in recent years and winning the state championship will have great meaning for them. The way things have gone in the past decade, winning our state championship means being in the thick of the race for the national championship.”

In addition to honoring the state champions, The Florida Cup program will help raise funding for the Florida Sports Foundation and its ongoing efforts to promote sports at all levels across the state.