GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After a one-year adjustment for COVID-19 safety considerations, the Florida High School Football State Championships will return to a multiple location format in both 2021 and 2022. For 2021, classes 1A-3A will return to Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee, December 9-11 while 4A-8A will be contested December 16-18 at the newly renovated DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

“The FHSAA is thrilled to partner with both the Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale communities to host the 2021 and 2022 Florida High School Football State Championships,” said FHSAA Executive Director, George Tomyn. “Each location is sure to provide a unique and memorable football championship experience to all participating student-athletes and coaches, as well as their travelling fans.”

After most recently hosting in 2019, both Visit Tallahassee and Leon County Schools will welcome the 1A-3A classifications back to the friendly confines of Gene Cox Stadium. With a spectator seating capacity of 6,500, the Tallahassee community stadium underwent significant renovations in 2018 that featured the installation of a new turf field, along with a pair of HD video boards.

“Visit Tallahassee is honored to once again partner with FHSAA to host the class 1A-3A Football State Championships in Florida’s Capital Region,” said Kerri L. Post, Director of Visit Tallahassee/Leon County Division of Tourism. “We look forward to continuing FHSAA’s tradition of providing exceptional championship experiences for their student-athletes, coaches and spectators and welcoming everyone back to Tallahassee in December.”

Game times in Tallahassee will be 7 p.m. each night on Thursday (Dec. 9), Friday (Dec. 10), and Saturday (Dec. 11), with specific classifications to be determined later.

In partnership with Visit Lauderdale, football state championship qualifiers in Classes 4A-8A will be heading to South Florida and the newly renovated DRV PNK Stadium. Set on the site of Fort Lauderdale’s old Lockhart Stadium, DRV PNK Stadium is currently home to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF and its developmental teams. Opened in 2020, DRV PNK Stadium boasts a seating capacity of 18,000 that will offer fans an intimate football viewing experience for the championship event.

The last time the city of Fort Lauderdale and Lockhart Stadium hosted a Florida High School State Championship matchup was in 1973, when Hollywood Hills defeated Raines (Jacksonville) for the Class 4A title. This year, the South Florida community will be hosting a championship matchup for the first time since 2006, when the entire event was held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens (formerly known as Dolphin Stadium).

“High school football has been a huge part of the Broward County community for decades and it continues to bring people together,” said Stacy Ritter, President/CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “As a proud graduate of Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida, I couldn’t be more thrilled to have the road to the Florida High School Football State Championships end in Fort Lauderdale.”

While specific classification timeslots are yet to be determined, game times in Fort Lauderdale are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 16), and then 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on both Friday (Dec. 17) and Saturday (Dec. 18).

Tickets in both locations will be available for $12 if purchased in advance, and $15 if purchased the day of the game. All matchups will be streamed live via Spectrum Sports. For specific event information regarding each location, as well as information about the FHSAA’s annual Drive to December, please visit the football sport page at FHSAA.com.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. – The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) is pleased to announce and welcome its newest members for the 2021-22 academic year: Asbury University, Baptist Bible College, Malone University, North Central University, Paine College, Sterling College, and University of Fort Lauderdale.
 
“We are excited to welcome, or welcome back, new members who find a mission-fit partnership with our association,” NCCAA Executive Director Dan Wood said. “These institutions are diverse in their focus but unified in the Kingdom targeted mission. The NCCAA looks forward to serving them in their efforts!” 

Malone University
Located in Canton, Ohio, Malone University will be entering as a Division I member in the Midwest Region. The Pioneers will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field, and Women’s Volleyball.

“The NCCAA’s mission to serve, equip and impact the world are in harmony with Malone University’s mission to Know Christ and Make Him Known,” Tanya Hockman, Director of Athletics said. “We view this opportunity as a partnership with the NCCAA not merely a membership or added championship experience for our student athletes. We are excited to reunite with Christian universities across the country who passionately integrate faith and sport.”

For more information on Malone University, visit www.malone.edu.

Asbury University
Located in Wilmore, Ky., Asbury University will be entering as a Division I member in the Mideast Region. The Eagles will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, and Women’s Volleyball.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to not only compete with other Christian colleges and universities across the nation, but also participate in ministry and service,” said Mark Whitworth, Asbury’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics & University Strategic Communications. “Our mission to use the platform of college athletics to glorify God perfectly aligns with the foundational principles of the NCCAA.”
 
For more information on Asbury University, visit www.asbury.edu.
 
North Central University
North Central University, located in Minneapolis, Minne., will be entering as a Division II member in the North Region. The Rams will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, and Women’s Volleyball.

“North Central University Athletics is committed to developing passionate champions while building a program of excellence that impacts lives and glorifies God,” Director of Athletics Travis Whipple said.  “The NCCAA aligns with that mission and we are thrilled to be a member. We have a storied tradition together and look forward to advancing our program in partnership. Our department is excited about the opportunities to compete on a regional and national level. The Rams are also looking forward to enhancing the student-athlete experience through service, recognition, and other opportunities this great association affords.”  
 
For more information on North Central University, visit www.northcentral.edu.

Baptist Bible College
Baptist Bible College, located in Springfield, Mo., will be entering as a Division I member in the Central Region. The Patriots will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, and Women’s Volleyball.
 
“Baptist Bible College is excited to join the NCCAA Division I,” Athletic Director Darin Meinders said. “The Christian values and expectations held by the NCCAA align perfectly with those that we teach and live by at Baptist Bible College. In addition, we are excited to be able to provide athletic opportunities for our student-athletes that are competitive and challenging. We look forward to competing at a high level in an organization that appreciates Biblical values and student-athletes.”
 
For more information on Baptist Bible College, visit www.gobbc.edu.  
 
Paine College
Located in Augusta, Ga., Paine College will be entering as a Division I member in the South Region. The Lions will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Softball, and Women’s Volleyball.
 
“On behalf of our student-athletes, and the entire Paine College community we are very excited to be joining the National Christian College Athletic Association,” said Director of Athletics Selina Kohn. “Joining the NCCAA will allow Paine to continue to emphasize our spiritual values, ethical and social responsibility, and academic excellence while accomplishing our athletic endeavors.” 
 
For more information on Paine College, visit www.paine.edu.

Sterling College
Sterling College, located in Sterling, Kan., will be entering as a Division I member in the Central Region. The Warriors will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, and Women’s Volleyball.
 
“We are proud to become a member of the NCCAA,” Vice President of Athletics Scott Downing said. “The opportunities for our athletes to grow spiritually and competitively will add to the Sterling College experience. We hope to be a great representative of the NCCAA, the NAIA, and the KCAC as well.”
 
For more information on Sterling College, visit www.sterling.edu.

University of Fort Lauderdale
Located in Lauderhill, Fla., University of Fort Lauderdale will be entering as a Division I member in the South Region. The Eagles will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Football, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, and Women’s Volleyball.

“We are very excited about the enthusiasm that has been very apparent in our immediate surrounding community and in the southern region of the NCCAA,” said Athletic Director Fernando Valenzuela. “The commitment by the administration at the University of Fort Lauderdale to the athletic department and the University was certainly the biggest factor in our achieving the unanimous acceptance by the NCCAA. This was a team effort, and we are very proud of being a part of such meaningful organization. We look forward to the partnership.”

For more information on University of Fort Lauderdale, visit www.uftl.edu.

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