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For Immediate Release
Date: Oct. 1, 2009
Contact: Chad Waller | Director of Sports Information and Media Services | cwaller@naia.org
Rome/Floyd County & Shorter College Awarded Extension of Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship
The event will be held in Rome, Ga., at Barron Stadium through 2010
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is proud to announce a one-year extension of the Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship to be hosted by Shorter College and Rome-Floyd County in Rome, Georgia. The 2010 event is scheduled to take place Dec. 18 from Barron Stadium, home to the Shorter College Hawks. The NAIA and these two parties began their agreement in 2008, when a capacity crowd of 6,500 watched No. 2 University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) take down No. 1 Carroll (Mont.) College, 23-7.
“Shorter College and Rome-Floyd County have carried on the commitment of being extremely successful hosts of the Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship and we look forward to that effort through 2010," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "Shorter College and city officials are committed to the student-athlete experience and promise to make a lasting impression on NAIA fans and participants.”
In its second year of the agreement, Shorter College and Rome-Floyd County will host the 2009 National Championship on Dec. 19. Two teams will compete for the hardware after making their way through the Football Championship Series, which begins Nov. 21. The First Round involves 16 teams playing on campus sites.
“The entire host committee did a fantastic job hosting this event in 2008,” said NAIA Manager of Championship Sports Dennis Green. “The Rome community truly embraced the event and we look forward to coming back in 2010. Shorter College, the city of Rome, and Floyd County have committed to making this a memorable experience for everyone involved and the NAIA is excited about the possibilities for this event.” |
Known for its football-rich history, Rome is a short drive from Atlanta (Ga.), Birmingham (Ala.) and Chattanooga (Tenn.). The city is situated amid seven hills at the convergence of three rivers. Rome, recognized for its southern charm and metropolitan culture, was recently named one of America's "Best Cities" by Forbes Magazine. With a population of just under 100,000, Rome offers 800 hotel rooms and a venerable stadium that can seat up to 6,500 fans. Shorter College is home to 17 varsity athletic teams with an enrollment of 2,900 students.
"We are certainly excited about this extension and the opportunity to host another NAIA Football National Championship,” said Shorter College Athletics Director Bill Peterson. “This is a big event for Rome, Floyd County and for Shorter College and we plan to do everything we can to make this a great game.”
Rome has a great reputation for hosting large events. The city organized the 2007 South Atlantic League All-Star Game, the Tour de Georgia, the Nick Hyder College Football Classic, the USA Tennis League Championships and the Atlanta Steeplechase. Also, Rome is home to the Rome Braves, a Class A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves.
The NAIA has sponsored football since 1956, when its first championship in the sport was held in Little Rock, Ark. Currently, 91 NAIA institutions sponsor the sport of football. Sioux Falls and Carroll have combined to win the last seven national championships.
To learn more about the NAIA and the Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship visit www.naia.org or contact Dennis Green at dgreen@naia.org.
Read the press release from the Host Committee>
Watch the press conference online courtesy of RomeSportsNet.com>
Watch the press conference online courtesy of the Rome News-Tribune>
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