Jan. 3, 2008

For Immediate Release:

Date: Thursday, January 3, 2008

Contact: Staci Schottman, NAIA Director of Public Relations & Communications, 816-595-8116

View Video of Press Conference, click here

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that Shorter College and Rome-Floyd County in Rome, Georgia has been awarded the 2008 and 2009 NAIA Football National Championships. The 53rd Annual NAIA Football National Championship will be contested on December 20, while the 2009 event will be on December 19. Both championship titles will be determined at Barron Stadium, home to the Shorter College Hawks.

"The success of a national championship is dependent on great partnerships. I would like to thank Team Hardin County for the past twelve years as host and congratulate Shorter College and Rome-Floyd County for its commitment to carry on the tradition of this nationally recognized event," 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. The 2008 and 2009 championship games will showcase the top teams in the NAIA and is an event fans across the country look forward to each year."

Shorter College President Dr. Harold Newman echoed Carr's enthusiasm. "We are proud that Shorter College, Rome and Floyd County have been selected as the site for the NAIA National Championship games in 2008 and 2009.  We deeply appreciate the NAIA for its confidence in us.  We also thank the city of Rome and Floyd County for partnering with us in our bid and look forward to a strong collaborative relationship as we work together on this important event."

NAIA Championships Administrator Dennis Green added, "We are very excited to begin our partnership with the city of Rome and Shorter College. They have shown a great deal of enthusiasm for hosting the football championship and we are confident in their ability to do so." 

Rome is known throughout Georgia as a great football town. Just 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.  

"We are both honored and humbled to be selected as the host institution for the 53rd and 54th Annual NAIA National Football Championship games. Certainly, it would be remiss on our part if we did not acknowledge the wonderful job that Team Hardin - both Hardin County and the city of Savannah (TN) - has done over the past twelve years in hosting this championship. They have set the standard in both organization and hospitality. At the same time, we are excited about the opportunity to put the NAIA National Football Championship game on a national stage," said Shorter College Athletics Director Bill Peterson. "The NAIA is made up of very talented and dedicated student-athletes along with many hard working and innovative coaches and we are excited about helping them showcase their abilities to the entire nation. We are certainly appreciative of the NAIA for this wonderful opportunity and we look forward to a number of great championship games here in Rome."

Rome Mayor Ronnie Wallace added, "It is very exciting and rewarding for the NAIA Football National Championships to be played in Rome. Exciting because such a notable sports event is coming to Rome where the national champion will be determined and rewarding because it is a great example of where the team work of a community desiring to host this event is the strongest indicator of a successful effort. We welcome the NAIA nation to Rome, a championship city indeed."

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.

"Floyd County is very pleased that the NAIA has chosen Rome and Floyd County to be the site of their national championship football game for 2008 and 2009.  Rome and Floyd County is known for successfully hosting major sporting events and with the help of the community and Shorter College, we anticipate this event to be as successful as the others," said County Manager Kevin Poe. "We are excited about the possibilities of showing off our community to a large national audience and reaping the positive economic benefits that such an event will generate for the county."

City Manager John Bennett added, "An event of this caliber does not simply attain its greatness by accident, it is the result of planning, organizing and executing the game plan much the same way it is done on the field. There is no better place to showcase this talent than in Rome and we look forward to a long and successful relationship."

The NAIA has sponsored football since 1956, when its first championship in the sport was held in Little Rock, Ark. Currently 90 NAIA institutions sponsor the sport of football. Only 16 teams will qualify for postseason play. The two teams vying for the national championship title must advance through first round, quarterfinal and semifinal competition leading up to the championship game in mid December.

To learn more about the NAIA and the 53rd Annual NAIA Football National Championship visit www.naia.org or contact NAIA Championships Administrator Dennis Green at dgreen@naia.org. 

To learn more about Shorter College click here.
To learn more about Rome, Ga. click here.

NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.