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Championship game expected to engage community
Graphic courtesy of Southland Conference –The NCAA Division I Football Championship is being hosted by the city of Frisco, Hunt Sports Group and Southland Conference. Mayor Maher Maso said the city hopes to welcome thousands of football fans, and the community can show its support by helping to ‘Pack the Park’ on Jan. 7.
By Jessica Rush, jrush@acnpapers.com
Two college football teams are traveling from opposite sides of the country to meet in the middle for the 2011 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game. Both the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Delaware Blue Hens should feel at home in Frisco, since “football is king” in Texas.
The championship game starts at 6 p.m. on Jan. 7 at Pizza Hut Park, concluding a 20-team national playoff. Frisco will be hosting the championship for at least three years, an event city officials hope the community will embrace whole-heartedly.
“It’s the only college football championship in the country,” Mayor Maher Maso said, because the other end-of-season football match-ups are bowl games. “I’ve been hearing of a lot of fathers and sons saying they’re starting a new tradition. We’re so proud to host it here, and we look to continue to grow it every year.”
“This is a very unique opportunity to bring college football to not only Frisco, but Collin County as a whole,” Burnett said. “There are many advantages to playing the game in our community where there are so many things to do.”
Community involvement
On top of all the regular attractions throughout Frisco, the city has planned daily activities this week to make visitors feel welcome. For example, a spirit competition is offering cash prizes to businesses that decorate with the competing teams’ colors during game week.
“Wear your favorite team colors, shoe-polish your windows, put up posters,” Tony Felker, Frisco Chamber of Commerce president wrote in a release. “You may even consider offering discounts to folks dressed in team colors.”
Businesses must send a photo of their window dressings or festive employees to info@friscochamber.com by 5 p.m. on Jan. 6 to compete.
Frisco ISD students will also get involved in the football fervor through a “Stay In School” pep rally on Jan. 5. Each head coach along with a football player will visit Christie Elementary or Bright Elementary to give their perspectives about hard work on the field and in the classroom.
“Our campuses talk a lot about setting goals and planning for the future,” FISD spokeswoman Shana Wortham said. “For them to have the opportunity to see student athletes at the college level and have them reach out and stress the importance of education – that’s invaluable, and the students are really excited.”
The local organizing committee is adding a taste of Texas to the festivities with the Great Texas Barbecue Bowl from 7 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 5 at the Frisco Conference Center. Local residents can welcome about 150 members from the teams and their traveling parties. Catering is being provided by Randy White’s Hall of Fame BBQ and performance group Lone Star Atttitude will add an additional western flavor.
Fans can choose a side to support, as each ticket comes with a complementary team bandana. Ticket information can be found at www.friscochamber.com.
At noon the day before the game, city representatives will honor the two teams with a Champions Luncheon at the Frisco Conference Center. Tickets can also be purchased for this event, where attendees will hear each head coach speak about the championship and become more familiar with the playing styles of each team through video highlights.
After a special guest speaker, the NCAA Elite 88 Award will be presented to one of the national championship game’s participants. The Elite 88 athlete is chosen based on both athletic and academic achievement.
More accolades will be given later that night at the Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet. The top coach in the FCS will earn the Eddie Robinson Award and the Buck Buchanan Award will go to the subdivision’s outstanding defensive player. The top outstanding player will be presented the Walter Payton Award, whose past recipients include quarterback Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys for his 2002 senior year at Eastern Illinois.
Game day
On Jan. 7, a six-hour tailgate party begins at noon in the Gold Parking Lot at Pizza Hut Park. A sports-centric event, Tailgate Town will be host to multiple sport interactive games and the Capital One Cup Tour.
Families can grab a bite to eat before the game while enjoying live music and performances from each team’s band. The tailgate will also feature autograph sessions, a mechanical bull, children’s inflatables, face painters, photo opportunitites and contests with prizes for all ages.
Dallas Cowboy veteran Everson Walls will be the FCS Ambassador and will perform the pre-game coin toss and help in the field postgame awards ceremony. Maso alluded to some surprises during the game, which could include a flyover and fireworks.
Economic impact
With an economic impact estimated at more than $1 million dollars, the series of events leading up to and during the 33rd national championship game could draw in as many as 8,000 out-of-state visitors, according to a release from the city.
Although the city has set aside thousands of dollars for the events leading up to the game, the city will get close to $290,000 back from the state, which allocates money to cities that hold large-scale events.
The city will also get a recognition boost as the game is televised on ESPN2 HD and broadcast on ESPN3.com. In addition, Frisco and its neighboring cities will receive benefits from the influx of visitors shopping and eating at the local restaurants.
“In the end, it will be a net positive result,” Maso said. “We have every hotel booked in Frisco week-long. There is a direct impact to the region.”
The latest figures show sales are picking up in the final week, especially on the local front. Around 11,000 tickets had been purchased as of Monday with good weather expected for Friday night.
Tickets range from $30 to $40 and are available online at www.ncaa.com/fcs.
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