March 3, 2010

FRISCO TO HOST NCAA D-1 TITLE GAME
PHP to showcase American football

FC Dallas soccer fans have enjoyed a lush soccer facility since it opened five years ago. But the horseshow shaped bowl also makes a dandy American football field and starting in 2011, Pizza Hut Park and Frisco have been named the new host city and stadium for the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Championship game, which will played at Pizza Hut Park on January 7, 2011.

The NCAA announced that FC Dallas' 23,500-seat multi-purpose stadium will be the host site for the championship game for the next three years.

“Frisco is a sports town and a Division I Football Championship is another chance for sports fans everywhere to not only experience great football but to also discover all our community has to offer," said Mayor Maher Maso. "We also want to thank folks from all over the country that supported our bid effort.”

Just over a month ago, Frisco launched an online pledge drive inviting football fans to show their support for the effort to move the championship games to Pizza Hut Park. Frisco received pledges from people living in 103 cities throughout Texas and from 17 other states. Frisco estimated the pledges represented more than 8,000 tickets.

“Pizza Hut Park and Hunt Sports Group couldn’t be more excited to host the NCAA Division I Football games,” said John Wagner, President, Hunt Sports Group. “Along with Southland Conference and the City of Frisco, we look forward to showcasing our venue and our city.”

Frisco and Pizza Hut Park emerged from a pool of several cities that submitted bids to serve as the host site for the championship games, beginning with the 2010 season.

The Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA, includes the conferences and institutions that compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship, in addition to two conferences who choose not to participate in the football championship, the Ivy League and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

For more information on the NCAA Division I Football Championship, log on to NCAA.com/football.