Bowl Season Hall of Fame
Keith Tribble's career is a testament to his transformative leadership in the world of collegiate athletics, a journey that reached its pinnacle during his influential tenure as the President and CEO of the Orange Bowl Committee. A former University of Florida football player, Tribble's time on the field instilled a deep understanding of the sport, which he would later apply to the business and administrative side of college athletics. His journey from the gridiron to the boardroom was marked by a steady rise, preparing him for the significant impact he would have in South Florida.
After earning his degree in public relations and marketing from the University of Florida, Tribble embarked on a professional career that saw him hold key senior leadership roles at prominent universities including the University of Florida and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This varied experience at different levels of collegiate athletics prepared him for the most significant challenge of his career: taking the helm of the Orange Bowl Committee. He assumed the role in 1993, and over the next 13 years, he would guide the organization through a period of remarkable growth and transformation. Following his successful tenure at the Orange Bowl Committee, Tribble continued his career in intercollegiate athletics where he served as Athletics Director at the University of Central Florida from 2006 – 2011.
Under Tribble’s visionary leadership, the Orange Bowl cemented its status as one of the most prestigious postseason games in the nation. He was a driving force behind the game’s financial and athletic success, demonstrating a keen business sense that led to a dramatic increase in annual sales. Beyond the numbers, Tribble was instrumental in a more significant, landscape-altering development for college football. In 1997, he helped form the "Super Alliance," a coalition of major bowl games and conferences that would ultimately serve as the blueprint for the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). By laying the groundwork for the BCS, he not only secured the Orange Bowl's place in a new, elite rotation of games but also helped to fundamentally reshape how a national champion was determined in college football. This impact earned him widespread recognition, with Sports Illustrated naming him one of the "Most Powerful People" in the sport in 2003.
Tribble’s commitment, however, extended far beyond the football field. He viewed the Orange Bowl as a powerful platform for community enrichment and used its influence to promote numerous philanthropic initiatives throughout South Florida. He was deeply involved in fundraising efforts that provided academic scholarships to deserving high school students. His dedication to community service was unwavering, as evidenced by his service on the boards of organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the United Way of Miami-Dade County. His selfless contributions were later honored by the Orange Bowl Committee itself, which named the Orange Bowl Keith Tribble Trailblazer Award after him in recognition of his significant civic and philanthropic impact.
His legacy is defined by both his significant achievements in transforming the Orange Bowl into a modern powerhouse and his enduring commitment to the South Florida community.
