Nov. 19, 2008

Story courtesy of Shorter Sports Information Office

ROME, Ga. - Rome resident Tony Triplitt earned a spot in history as the first person to purchase tickets to the 2008 Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship. The game will be played Saturday, Dec. 20, at 12 noon at Historic Barron Stadium.

"Tony called me, literally the day the Host Committee was established, to find out where he could buy tickets," said Rome attorney and Host Committee Co-Chair Bob Berry. "His excitement for the game is apparent."

Triplett received a framed commemorative ticket along with the four reserved tickets he purchased for admission to the game. His purchase marks the official launch of ticket sales.

Reserved seating tickets are $25 each; general admission tickets are $20 each. A group rate of $15 per ticket is available for groups of 10 or more. In addition, tickets are also available for the FCA Champions of Character Breakfast (Thursday, Dec. 18, 8 a.m., Forum) and for the NAIA Banquet of Champions (Friday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m., Forum). Tickets for these events are $25 for an individual or $200 for a table (seats 8).

Tickets may be purchased online at NAIANationalChampionship.com. For questions, call the Shorter College Box Office at 706-233-7288.

The 53rd annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship, hosted by Rome-Floyd County and Shorter College, will be televised live on CBS College Sports TV.