FALL 2008

Shorter and partners Rome/Floyd County ready to host NAIA football championship

With kickoff of the NAIA National Football Championship Game only three months away, plans are heating up for host school Shorter College and its partners, the City of Rome and Floyd County.

As of press time, the host committee was anticipating the forthcoming announcement of a title sponsor for the game. (Check www.naianationalchampionship.com for the latest updates.)

“We do have a company that has delivered a term sheet to be the title sponsor of the game,” said Host Committee co-chair and Shorter Athletic Director Bill Peterson. “This company is a perfect fit for the championship and will be a great partner for us.” Rome attorney and committee co-chair Bob Berry added, “The NAIA has never had a title sponsor for its championship football game. Our mission all along has been to elevate the status of the game, and we believe this is an important step toward that goal.” Plans for the 2008 championship are focusing on more than just the football game. “Our goal is to create a championship experience for the players, the coaches and the fans that is an experience of a lifetime,” Peterson said. “Certainly, the Saturday football game is the focal point, but we want to have a total fan experience that will attract visitors for more than just the afternoon.”

The first public event of the championship week will be the FCA Champions of Character Breakfast on Thursday, Dec. 18. Legendary Air Force Head Coach Fisher DeBerry will be the featured speaker at the event in the Forum in Rome. “We are especially pleased to feature Coach DeBerry because he perfectly exemplifies what the Champions of Character program is all about,” Peterson said. “Plus, in addition to his experience at the Air Force Academy, he also coached in the NAIA. He knows firsthand what it means to play small college football, and he can truly relate to the players.”

On Friday, the teams will attend the NAIA Banquet of Champions at 7 p.m. at the Forum.

Tickets for both the FCA breakfast and the Banquet of Champions are available at a cost of $25 each or $200 per table. To order tickets, call the Shorter College box office at (706) 233-7288.

The championship game will be played at noon on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Barron Stadium. Tickets for the game are available through Shorter’s box office at a cost of $20 for general admission and $25 for reserved seating. Group rates are available.