Countdown to NCAA Division I Football Championship Game

COUNTDOWN TO NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME;EVENT TO ‘TOUCHDOWN’ IN FRISCO IN JUST 12 DAYS (December 27, 2010) For the first time ever, the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game will be held in Frisco on Friday, January 7 at 6 p.m. at Pizza Hut Park, 9200 World Cup Way.

Delaware and Eastern Washington will meet in this 2011 championship game, which concludes a 20-team national playoff.  Tickets range from $30 to $40 and are available online at www.ncaa.com/fcs

As many as 8,000 out-of-state visitors are expected to flock to Frisco to see the Eastern Washington Eagles take on the Delaware Blue Hens. The game’s economic impact is estimated at more than $1 million dollars.

“Tickets are still available, but you need to act fast,” said Mayor Maher Maso, Honorary Chairman, “Team Frisco”, which is the local organizing committee.  “Local momentum for this game has been building since February when NCAA awarded the game to Frisco for the next three years.  Not only is it a great economic boon for Frisco, this nationally televised game is also another opportunity for us to showcase our community. Plus, it’s affordable entertainment and a chance to see some great football,” added Mayor Maso.

“Team Frisco”, which is made up of the City of Frisco, Hunt Sports Group and Southland Conference, is hosting a week’s worth of festivities for fans, as well.

The Great Texas Barbecue Bowl will be held Wednesday, January 5, from 7 –

9 p.m. at the Frisco Conference Center, 7600 John Q. Hammons Drive.  The “Barbecue Bowl” is a chance for fans to dine with the players while enjoying barbeque served by Randy White’s Hall of Fame BBQ, live music by Lone Star Attitude, surrounded by a great western motif. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10.95 for children 12 and under.  Tickets include dinner and a complimentary team bandana. For tickets, go to www.friscochamber.com.

The Champions Luncheon will be held Thursday, January 6, from noon to 1:30 p.m., also at the Frisco Conference Center.  Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

Hear comments from both head coaches, view exciting video highlights, and enjoy a special luncheon guest speaker!  Also, the NCAA Elite 88 Award for athletic and academic achievement will be presented to one of the Division I national championship game’s participants.  Tickets are $50 and a table of eight is $360.  www.friscochamber.com.

Tailgate Town will be held Friday, January 7 starting at noon and ending at 6 p.m., just before the game kickoff.  ‘Tailgate Town’ will get fans fired up in the Gold Parking Lot of Pizza Hut Park, just west of Dr. Pink Field. Admission is free to this family friendly event.  Tailgate Town will feature food, live music, team band performances, youth clinics, autograph sessions, bounce houses, face painters, games, souvenir sales, contests, prizes and much more – including a mechanical bull!

Visitors to this Texas showdown are likely to see a real ‘Cowboy’.

Everson Walls, former Dallas Cowboy and Grambling State University student-athlete, is honored as the FCS Ambassador for the 2011 NCAA Division I Football Championship game.

Walls, a 13-year NFL veteran, is the second former student-athlete to serve as the ambassador of the football championship. As ambassador, Walls duties include serving as an instructor at a youth clinic event, performing the pre-game coin toss and participating in the field postgame awards ceremony.

“I am honored to be a part of the Division I Football Championship, as it provides young student-athletes with an opportunity to showcase their talents on a national scale,” Walls said. “As a former student-athlete, I can attest to the excitement and success these young men will experience in their collegiate and professional careers.”

The NCAA Division I Football Championship is being hosted by the City of Frisco, Hunt Sports Group, and Southland Conference. Pizza Hut Park will also host the 2012 and 2013 national championship games.