INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA has announced the Shoals National Championship Committee (SNCC) and the University of North Alabama will serve as the hosts for the 2010 and 2011 NCAA Division II Football Championship finals in Florence, Ala., at Braly Municipal Stadium.

The SNCC and the University of North Alabama have sponsored the game since 1986.  The NCAA Division II Championships Committee approved the site recommendation by the Division II Football Committee.

The dates of the 2010 and 2011 championship finals have yet to be determined, as Division II is considering the possibility of moving the game a week later than it currently is played.  The potential change is related to a proposal by the Division II Legislation and Championships Committees to schedule the first regular-season game no earlier than the Thursday preceding September 6.  That proposal must be reviewed by the Division II Management and Presidents Councils this summer before being placed on the agenda of the 2010 NCAA Convention for a membership vote.

“Many factors contributed to the decision to return to Florence,” said Kevin Buisman, chair of the Division II Football Committee and director of athletics at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

“The SNCC and North Alabama have a longstanding 23-year tradition of hosting the championship.  The community has supported that tradition through the team host program it developed during those years.  They have done a very good job of providing a quality experience for student-athletes participating in the championship game,” said Buisman.  In addition, Buisman noted the SNCC and the University of North Alabama have also enhanced the game even further the last two years with the initiation of a community engagement event during the championship.  This program involves the participating teams reading at local elementary schools the day prior to the national championship game that has further enhanced the student-athlete experience.

The 2009 game will be played December 12 at the 14,500 seat Braly Municipal Stadium.

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