Chris Cannon posted on November 24, 2010 15:49
The spirit of the NAIA Football National Championship game will be spread throughout historic Downtown Rome in the month of December as part of two new spirit competitions. The City of Rome, Downtown Development Authority, the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau and the NAIA Host Committee have developed spirit competitions to enhance the appearance of downtown Rome and welcome visitors.
The first competition is designed for active businesses in downtown Rome. Businesses are encouraged to share their best NAIA spirit by decorating their windows with welcoming messages to the two teams competing in the championship.
The two competing teams will be determined on Saturday, December 4. Businesses should mention the teams by name in their design and use their team colors.
NAIA Host Committee members will judge downtown windows on Friday, December 10. The window showing the most spirit for the national championship will be awarded a $1,000 prize package including a reserved tailgating location on the levee and 20 tickets to the National Championship game.
The second contest will involve all cheerleaders in the greater Rome area.
All cheerleading squads, from pee wee to collegiate level, are invited to design a banner (72” by 72”) welcoming the championship teams to Rome. These banners will be displayed in storefronts along Broad Street.
Entries must be delivered to the Rome Visitor Center on December 10 by 5p.m.
The winning squad will be the “Official Cheerleading Squad” for the FANatic Friday pep-rally on Friday, December 17, 7:30p.m. at the Town Green. The winning squad will perform a routine and cheer.
“These additional events not only serve to welcome visitors and locals to downtown during Championship week, but also contribute to the overall attractiveness and vibrancy of the historic city center. Downtown is honored to be an active partner in hosting the NAIA,” said Ann Arnold, Downtown Development Director.
Participating businesses and school spirit participants will be recognized at NAIA Football National Championship Game on December 18. Tickets for the event are $15 until December 1 and available at The Forum box office or www.forumevents.org.
For more information on these spirit competitions, contact the Greater Rome Convention & Visitor Bureau at 706.295.5576 or the Downtown Development Authority at 706.236.4520.