MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has announced that its football championship game is moving to Montgomery.
The Division II league announced the move at its media day on Monday (yesterday). The game is schedule to be played at the Cramton Bowl for the next three seasons starting in 2014.
SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore says the stadium "is a spectacular venue as it has held some legendary games in college football."
"The SIAC football championship game has grown significantly over the years and Montgomery is great fit for our postseason atmosphere. The Cramton Bowlis a spectacular venue as it has held some legendary games in college football," SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore said. "We want to thank the City of Montgomery, Mayor Todd Strange, The Central Alabama Sports Commission and The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau for embracing and assisting our transition to such a historic venue."
The SIAC's President's Council unanimously approved the move from Atlanta, where the first three championship games were played.
The move was also an up for the venue, which lost its most noteworthy tenant, when Alabama state constructed its $62-million stadium two years ago to play its home games.
"We are proud to welcome the SIAC Football Championship Game to the city named by USA as the Best Historic City in the U.S., Montgomery, Alabama," Mayor Todd Stranger said. "The Central Alabama Sports Commission and The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau are working hard to ensure that the next three championship games at the world class Cramton Bowl and Multiplex are the best and most memorable in SIAC history."
The league estimates the championship game will attract 15,000 fans to the 25,000-seat Cramton Bowl and about $1.2 million in revenue.