Nassau, Bahamas— Toledo Head Coach Jason Candle and Vice President/Director of Athletics Mike O'Brien visited Nassau, Bahamas today in preparation for the 2018 Maker Wanted Bahamas Bowl. The Rockets will face Florida International University on Dec. 21 (12:30 p.m./ESPN).

Representatives from both schools have been in the Bahamas since Wednesday for a thorough site visit with bowl staff. The school reps toured the Atlantis Resort, where the travel parties will be staying; the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium; the practice site at Roscow A.L. Davies Field; and Lynden Pindling International Airport. Candle and O'Brien joined staff members today for a news conference promoting the bowl.

"On behalf of our President Dr. Sharon Gaber and our board of trustees, it's an honor to be involved with the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl," O'Brien said. "This is the bowl our team wanted to come to. I was in the room when Coach Candle made the announcement and needless to say the team was very excited."

Added Candle, "We're tremendously excited and honored to have the opportunity to play in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. This will be a great experience for our team and our university to showcase the game of football to a different part of the world. We're looking forward to showing the youth of the islands the opportunities that this game can provide for them not just athletically, but educationally."

The Rockets will depart for the bowl on Monday, Dec. 17 and participate in a week of activities before Friday's game against the Golden Panthers.

Tickets for the Bahamas Bowl are on sale now. All tickets are $50 and ticket orders are being taken now online, by phone or in person at the UT Athletic Ticket Office in Savage Arena. Tickets may be picked up at the UT Athletic Ticket Office beginning Thursday, Dec. 6. Tickets will also be available for sale at the ticket window beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Tickets can be purchased through UT through Friday, Dec. 14 at 5:00 p.m. Also, the UT Alumni Office will be sponsoring a pre-game reception on game day. For more information, go to ToledoAlumni.org or call 1-800-235-6766 or 419-530-2586 (ALUM).