Rome, Ga. – The Rome High Marching Band has been selected as the official marching band of the 2009 Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship. The band, known as The Sound of the Seven Hills, will perform the national anthem, provide in-stands music, and present its halftime show titled “Blue Memories.”

The 2009 NAIA championship event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Barron Stadium in downtown Rome. This marks the second year that Barron has served as host site for the NAIA title match.

“The NAIA football national championship is a wonderful event for Rome and Floyd County, and we are excited to have Rome’s own Sound of the Seven Hills be part of this year’s game,” said Bill Peterson, athletic director at Shorter College and co-chair of the NAIA Host Committee. “Rome High and Shorter College are proud to call Barron Stadium home. We are happy that the Rome band’s 2009 schedule allows them to showcase their considerable talents – on their home turf – before a national audience.”

The Rome band is directed by Lydell Self, who is in his second year as director of bands at Rome High. Prior to coming to Rome, he served as director of bands for grades 6 through 12 at Gordon Lee Schools for 29 years.

The Rome High marching band is a successful extension of Rome High School. The band has been named Grand Champion at numerous marching competitions throughout the years and maintains a strong commitment to excellence. The New York Times has also called them a “role model for all high school bands,” and they have been ranked among the 10 Best High School Bands in the Southeast.

This year’s NAIA championship game, which will be broadcast nationally live by CBS College Sports Network, begins at noon on Saturday, Dec. 19. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase from The Forum by calling (706) 291-5281, (800) 858-7601, or visiting www.forumevents.org < http://www.forumevents.org> . Fans may also purchase tickets at the gate on game day.

Also available are tickets for other championship events, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Champions of Character Breakfast, which will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, at 8 a.m. at the Forum, and the NAIA Banquet of Champions, which will be held Friday, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Forum. Tickets for these events are $25 for an individual or $200 for a table (seats 8).

For more information on the 2009 championship game, visit www.naianationalchampionship.com.

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