Equal parts football and music: Bobby Bowden, former Florida State coach, was on hand, along with Robin Wilson and the Gin Blossoms. (Photos by Howie Grapek / GPO)

It was equal parts football and music on Friday as the Battle of Florida had its Meet and Greet and concert with the Gin Blossoms at Mizner Park Amphitheatre.

The two head coaches for the football game on Saturday were on hand — former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden heading up the North team and ex-Miami and FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger leading the South. They were both on hand Friday night for a meet-and-greet with approximately 100 college football players, and dozens of kids and families.

“Bowden and Schnellenberger were unbelievably kind, and engaging with the kids,” said Frank Chapman, organizer of the event. “We are extremely pleased with the event in that the night brought the community together and fostered heroes in the minds of children.”

Photos: Gin Blossoms at Battle of Florida Meet and Greet | Visit this writer’s website

During the two-hour meet and greet, the coaches and NFL hopefuls all signed autographs on T-shirts and footballs, and chatted with the guests. One highlight was when NFL hopeful Ryan Kessling, an offensive lineman from the University of Louisville, played football with a dozen children inside the venue.

Following the meet and greet, the coaches, players and guests were treated to a rock concert consisting of the American pop rock band Gin Blossoms. The doors were opened to the public for the concert.

The Gin Blossoms band was formed in 1987 and has matured in the last 15 years. Their fans are no longer young adults, and what might be surprising is the way the group connects with them. Frontman Robin Wilson’s voice is as strong as it has ever been and still carries the melodious lyrics with enormous amounts of enthusiasm.

Wilson is best known for his interaction with the crowd. As he often does, he handed his tambourine to a few lucky fans in the front row to play with him in sync with the band. This evening, he also sang directly into a few fans’ cell phones and jumped off stage to pose for photos during some of their more established hits. One of the professional videographers of the evening had his camera taken from him by Wilson who had fun while singing and filming himself, fans and band.

Wilson also high-fived the front row several times. “And that is how you rock Florida,” he said at one point.

The opening acts before Gin Blossoms were Erin Boyle, who is singing the national anthem for the Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center, and Brett Loewenstern, a semifinalist from American Idol.