2012 RUSSELL ATHLETIC-NAIA FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TO MAKE THURSDAY NIGHT DEBUT

 
Rome, GA (October 4, 2012) – Fans will find something a little unexpected at the 2012 Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship when it returns to Rome this December. The event will still offer an incredible battle between the two best teams in the NAIA. This year, however, that battle will take place under the lights in the first-ever Thursday night kickoff for the championship event.

The game will be played on Thursday, Dec. 13, with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. The change was made in order to ensure national television exposure for the participating schools and the NAIA on the CBS Sports Network, NAIA Director of Communications and Sports Information ChadWaller announced. “The NAIA is committed to its student-athletes and providing opportunities for them to be showcased on a national stage.”

The schedule change was also attractive for local organizers, as it prevents a head-to-head match up with the Georgia High School Association State Football Championships, according to Bob Berry, chair of the NAIA Host Committee.

“The Thursday night game allows this year’s NAIA championship to kickoff a great weekend of football,” Berry said. “The GHSA state championships will be that Friday and Saturday, and other bowl games start on Saturday. Now, the NAIA championship will be played in primetime under the lights at Historic Barron Stadium on Thursday night, which has proven to be a good time for football in Rome and Northwest Georgia.”

Tickets for this year’s championship game will be on sale later this month. For a schedule of events for the 2012 championship game, visit www.NAIANationalChampionship.com.

 
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