INDIANAPOLIS--- The city of Chattanooga, Tenn., is hosting the NCAA 2009 Division I Football Championship on Friday, Dec. 18, for the 13th consecutive year, but more than a football game is planned as part of the event.

With a number of activities scheduled to take place leading into the championship game, where the University of Montana and Villanova University will compete for the championship trophy, the NCAA and local Chattanooga organizers see them as opportunities to support and celebrate the Football Championship Subdivision and its 14,000 student-athletes.

Some featured events include two youth groups joining the teams for dinner and a tour of the Tennessee Aquarium, a youth skills clinic conducted by FCS award winners and former Hofstra University and eleven-year NFL veteran Wayne Chrebet, and an autograph session with the award winners and Chrebet following the clinic.

Scheduled community relations events include the following:

• NCAA Division I Football Championship Team Reception (Wednesday, Dec. 16 – 6 p.m.): The NCAA and the Greater Chattanooga Sports & Events Committee will host a reception at the Tennessee Aquarium welcoming the student-athletes and coaches from each of the two FCS teams in the Division I Football Championship game. Joining the student-athletes for this reception will be children from the Bethel Bible Village and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga. The children will be provided with footballs and pens to collect autographs, as well as materials to make signs for their favorite teams for the game on Friday evening. All of the children will also receive an official game coin to keep, along with the football. The children from the Bethel Bible Village will sit and eat with the coaches and student-athletes from Montana at 6 p.m., join them as they walk through the aquarium and have the opportunity to collect autographs from the student-athletes and coaches. At approximately 7 p.m., the children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga will sit and eat with the coaches and student-athletes from Villanova, and have the opportunity to collect autographs and walk through the aquarium with them.

• Battle of the Media All-Stars (Thursday, Dec. 17 – noon to 1 p.m.): Members of six local television and radio stations will participate in various football-related contests in the “Battle of the Media All-Stars.” Taking place at Finley Stadium/Davenport Field, the kicking, passing and running contests will be officiated by Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler and the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga head football coach Russ Huesman. The championship award will be presented by Mayor Claude Ramsey.

• Tailgate Town (Friday, Dec. 18 – 2 to 8 p.m.): First Tennessee Pavilion and Carter Street, just outside of Finley Stadium, will be the location for Tailgate Town. The fun-filled, interactive area allows fans to experience the thrills, excitement and spirit of NCAA sports, especially college football, while learning about the corporate champions and partners that support the NCAA. This year, Tailgate Town will feature live rock and country music, team band performances, live sports talk and ESPN Radio remotes, interactive games, photo opportunities, face painters, autograph sessions, a video lounge, souvenir and concession sales, contests and prizes.

• Wayne Chrebet Youth Skills Clinic (Friday, Dec. 18 – 4 to 4:45 p.m.): Kids ages 5-12 are encouraged to participate in the free youth clinic hosted by former Hofstra University and NFL veteran Wayne Chrebet at Tailgate Town.  Chrebet will be joined by the 2009 Buck Buchanan Award winner and the 2009 Walter Payton Award finalists as they teach youngsters some of the fundamentals of football receiving and defense, as well as competing with the kids in an interactive football game to end the session.  Participation is limited to approximately 40 kids and pre-registration for the youth skills will be taken at the NCAA Fan Fest Field area from 2 p.m. through the start of the clinic.

• Wayne Chrebet/FCS Award Winners Autograph Session presented by AT&T (Friday, Dec. 18 – 5 to 5:45 p.m.): Shortly after the Wayne Chrebet Youth Skills Clinic, fans will have a chance to meet and receive an autograph from the former Hofstra and New York Jets receiver between 5 and 5:45 p.m. at the Tailgate Town Pavilion stage. Wayne will be joined on stage by the 2009 Buck Buchanan winner and 2009 Walter Payton Award finalists. Free autograph cards will be available for all fans courtesy of NCAA Corporate Champion AT&T.

• United States Air Force Wings of Blue Parachute Team Performance (Friday, Dec. 18 – 7:45 p.m.): The United States Air Force Wings of Blue Parachute Team will parachute into Finley Stadium/Davenport Field, delivering the game ball for the Division I Football Championship game.

• National Anthem performed by Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler (Friday, Dec. 18 – 7:50 p.m.): Chattanooga’s own Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler will perform the national anthem prior to the start of the Division I Football Championship game.

The NCAA Division I Football Championship game will crown the FCS national champion.  The FCS embodies a tradition of excellence through high level competition, student-athlete character and sportsmanship throughout the regular season and the championship experience. The game will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com.

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

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