Community leaders join Host Committee for NAIA National Championship Game

February 10, 2008 - Following the public announcement that Shorter College and partners Rome and Floyd County will host the 2008 and 2009 NAIA National Football Championships, attention turned to the plans for the game and surrounding activities. Shorter Athletic Director Bill Peterson recruited Rome attorney Bob Berry to join him in co-chairing a Host Committee, which comprises local community members and college personnel.

Committee members include:

• Rome CPA Randy Bowen, who will serve as Treasurer;
• Rome realtor Will Byington, who will head the Transportation and Logistics Subcommittee (Byington served as a key administrative assistant to Georgia Southern’s football coach during their national title run);
• Rome attorney Andy Davis, who will head the Legal and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee;
• Richard Garland, executive director of the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority, who will oversee Stadium Operations;
• Phil Jones, Shorter’s head football coach, who will oversee Football Operations;
• Ricci Lattanzi, Shorter’s director of athletic operations, who will oversee Game-Day Operations;
• Jim O’Hara, sports editor for the Rome News-Tribune, who will head the Media and Sports Information Subcommittee;
• Linda Smith and Ann Hortman of the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau, who will co-chair the Hospitality and Special Events Subcommittee;
• Roger Smith, president of River City Bank, who will head the Sponsorship Programs Subcommittee;
• Jim Williams, former executive director of the Rome-Floyd YMCA, who will chair the Special Programs Subcommittee; and
• Eddie Wilson, CEO of River City Bank, who will chair the Advisory Committee;
• Ann Arnold, director of the Downtown Development for Rome, GA will oversee the coordination of volunteers.

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