A sign on U.S. 411 at the bypass touts Rome as the “Home of the NAIA National Football Championship Game.” (Diane Wagner / Rome News-Tribune)
Rome has been home to the championship since 2008 and in 2010 was awarded a contract to host the game through 2015. As plans were being made for the 2012 game, the NAIA approached the Rome Host Committee asking to end the current agreement after the 2013 championship game.
“Since that conversation, we have been talking with our partners – the City of Rome, Floyd County, Shorter University, and the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau,” said Host Committee Co-Chair Bob Berry. “We realized that this championship relationship wouldn’t work well if we aren’t in full partnership. When we first bid on this game in 2007, Rome had two NAIA schools. Since that time, both Shorter and Berry have moved into the NCAA, and the NAIA has expressed an interest in moving the game to an NAIA site. While we were disappointed in that decision, we certainly understand their point of view and have agreed to the change in contract terms.”
The NAIA has posted a call for bids to host the championship on its Website. Bids are due next summer and will include hosting the 2014 and 2015 championship games.
Berry added that, while the contract term has been shortened, Rome will continue to serve as the host site for two additional games. “The NAIA championship has generated a lot of economic impact over the past four years. We essentially still have one-third of the contract term ahead of us. The host committee understands that we should take every opportunity to continue to put on a successful event.
“Finishing strong is important as we continue to build the sports resume of our community. While the NAIA contract is ending early, the change allows us to put ourselves in a position to bid on other events.”
Over the past four years, Berry added, the championship game has generated more than $6 million in economic impact for the Greater Rome community. It is estimated that another $3.5 million will be generated over the next two years, resulting in a total financial boost of almost $10 million during a very difficult economic time.
“In addition to a substantial boost to the local economy, the change in the area in and around West Third Street has been incredible,” Berry said. “The championship game has been a win-win for the community, for Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority, Rome High School, Shorter University, and for everyone else who utilizes Barron Stadium.”
Berry added that the host committee continues to move forward with enthusiasm about hosting both the 2012 and 2013 championship games. “Rome, Ga., will continue to return to the national stage for these two championship games,” he said, “and we encourage the community to support the championships. We are actively seeking sponsors, and tickets will be on sale later this month. We want to do an outstanding job of hosting this event and showcase the incredible hospitality of our community.”
The 2012 championship will be played on Thursday, Dec. 13, with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m.
For a schedule of events for the 2012 championship game, visit www.NAIANationalChampionship.com.
Historic Barron Stadium? What's historic about it?
One football game, one time a year, ALL the money it will bring to Rome. When did your NAIA revenue check come ? Mine must have gotten lost in the mail.
When will voters learn? I think never.
Now the city needs to go after getting us some NCAA play off or Championship games. But come on people that are looks so much better so I am going to say it was worth the splost to clean up our great city.
Why do you people always see the negative and have such a hard time seeing the positives about life and things that happen. oh Well this is just my two cents. .
I don't know how
"That are looks so much better". Came from
More importantly, I don't see how they have any obligation here unless they made some financial commitment that hasn't been publicized. They were NAIA members and they helped the City land a good opportunity. Later, they did what they thought was best for their school -- they moved from the NAIA to the NCAA. I don't think they had any obligation to stay in the NAIA just to help the City cover its risks.
I appreciate Shorter's presence in the community. I'm sorry about all the troubles they're going through and I hope they can survive.
The SaveOurShorter.com site just posted some very bleak enrollment numbers; I'm hoping the RN-T will follow up. Hopefully those numbers are wrong!
Surely they can, and probably will, bid for other games. That stadium is gorgeous and will bring in people. But every time the stadium, the track, or the school are mentioned, it's as if you forget the positive things, that all three have done for the community. Clearly I'm not speaking about the comments here that are positive. Everyone has their right to say whatever they like. However, I can't help but notice it's the same people, covering the same topics.
chieftrojan
"All football championships are hosted in a city with a member a part of the association."
Really SEC Championship Atlanta GA = No SEC team there.
ACC Championship Charlotte NC = No ACC team there.
Big Ten Championship Indianapolis IN = No Big 10 teams there.
And the Big 12 when they had one was never hosted in a town with a team from the Big 12 in it.
It also doesn't do away with the fact that the "perpetuity of the cash-cow NAIA game" was one of the pipe dreams sold to us when pushing the SPLOST for the 3 million dollar football field/track. You know that SPLOST that gets brought up every time someone mentions SPLOST, as an example of SPLOST waste that came before the SPLOST for police cars and dump trucks (those are luxuries, unlike astroturf and running tracks).
In conclusion, complaints are called for in this situation.
"Over the past four years, Berry added, the championship game has generated
more than $6 million in economic impact for the Greater Rome community. It
is estimated that another $3.5 million will be generated over the next two
years, resulting in a total financial boost of almost $10 million during a
very difficult economic time."
So basicaally what Mr Berry is saying is the revenue generated over a two year period is 3.5 million dollars. We are giving NAIA two years back. So we are handing 3.5 million dollars to another city even though we have a legally binding contract that says they HAVE to have the game in Rome?! What is the purpose of a contract? Rome businesses NEED 3.5 million dollars! This is a disapointment to say the least.
Also, all the hours that we "taxpayers" were not able to use the track because it was closed for renovations or repairs? Really? Who is in charge of all this wasted money? From what I saw, nobody in Rome was remotely interested in this game to start with. Now that it is on a Thursday night, (school night), it will be even less attended, so all those $$$$ you think that you are going to make---NOT! Shorter definitely doesn't need it because they don't even have but a few students any more. All the quality football players have transferred to a "real" football University.
I don't think you really can blame Shorter either unless you somehow think they "owed" it to City and taxpayers to wait at least until promised 6 years of games had run (quote from City Mgr. at the time in RNT) - either way has nothing to do with Berry.
No matter how much you want to blame others - doesn't make it true.