Fans seek tickets for title game

FLORENCE - Sarah Beth Vandiver knew what to expect Monday morning when she checked the e-mail at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce.

"I walked in this morning and it was full of Internet requests for tickets," said Vandiver, a coordinator of the NCAA Division II National Championship Football Game.

"The requests were from all over," Vandiver said. "That usually happens after the semifinal game. People are waiting until they see who's in it."

The game will be televised live by ESPN2. Tickets can be purchased at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce or online at d2championship.com, Vandiver said. Information is available by calling the chamber at 764-4661.

Vandiver said representatives from the championship game were at the two semifinal games last weekend to personally extend the winning teams invitations to the championship game.

They had tickets in hand when they issued the invitations.

"Each team requests tickets during the week of the semifinals games," Vandiver said. Northwest Missouri requested 2,500 and Valdosta asked for 2,000.

Of course, both schools could bring additional fans who place orders directly to the championship game office, rather than through their individual schools.

Vandiver said it's too early to know how many tickets will be sold, but she knows from the seating chart that few are left for seats between the 30-yard lines. "A lot of that can be attributed to our sponsors," she said. "The sponsors do a tremendous job of supporting this game."

Last year's game, which saw Grand Valley State beat Northwest Missouri, 17-14, drew 7,437 fans. Vandiver said ticket sales to this point are in line with last year's total.

The game has averaged 9,249 fans throughout its 21 years in Florence, according to NCAA statistics.

The chamber sends e-mails to local businesses, encouraging them to support the game, even if it simply means placing welcome messages on store marquees.

"The fans fill our hotels and keep the restaurants packed, so we encourage businesses to welcome them with open arms," Vandiver said. "Both of these schools have been here before, and I know they look forward to coming every time and enjoying the Shoals' Southern hospitality."

She said many local fans are disappointed that the University of North Alabama isn't in the game. UNA made it to the quarterfinals before falling to Valdosta.

She said that doesn't mean fans should deprive themselves of witnessing firsthand the atmosphere of a national championship game. "We definitely need the people of the Shoals to come out and support it."

The event features a pregame performance by local "Nashville Star" winner Angela Hacker and her brother, runner-up Zac Hacker, and inductions of three players, including former UNA player Ronald McKinnon, into the Division II Hall of Fame, Vandiver said. In addition, a Jumbotron will be behind one end zone so the fans can view instant replays.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.