Dec. 2, 2008

For Immediate Release

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Shorter College and Rome Floyd County will host the 53rd Annual Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship on Saturday, December 20, 2008, at Barron Stadium in Rome, Ga. with kickoff slated for 11 a.m. (CT).

Teams vying for a spot in the title game will compete in semifinal competition (December 6) leading up to the championship game in mid December. The duo advancing to the title game will have an active schedule once they arrive in Georgia. Both teams will participate in Champions of Character events in Rome and Floyd county schools and press events leading up to Saturday’s showdown. Teams will culminate pre-game activities at the Banquet of Champions on Friday, December 19.

Reserved seating tickets are $25, general admission tickets are $20 and group (10 or more) tickets are $15. In addition, tickets are available for the FCA Champions of Character Breakfast (December 18) and for the NAIA Banquet of Champions (December 19). Tickets for these events are $25 for an individual or $200 for a table. Click here for a complete list of events or to purchase tickets. 

Fans regardless of location don’t have to miss any of the action. The 2008 NAIA Football National Championship will be broadcast live on CBS College Sports Network. Analyst Trev Alberts and play-by-play commentator Tom Hart call the action. In addition, fans will have the opportunity to watch the broadcast live on their computers. The video steam may be purchased at www.cbssports.com. 

To learn more about NAIA football and follow the Football Championship Series visit www.NAIA.org.

About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, 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. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.