KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is pleased to announce a partnership with the Durham Sports Commission for the 2022 Football National Championship.
“The Durham Sports Commission is both delighted and excited to be the host city for the NAIA National Football Championship again in 2022 after an amazing turnout last year,” stated Dan Hill, former Board Chair of the Durham Sports Commission. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are looking forward to welcoming the teams, their fans and the NAIA officials to Durham!”
Durham County Memorial Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium built in 1958, has a seating capacity of 8,500 and has been the site of professional, collegiate, and high school football events. Willie Bradshaw Field is an artificial, synthetic turf located inside the stadium that also features the Tommy Hunt Press Box.
“On behalf of the Durham Sports Commission, we are humbled, honored, and thankful to the NAIA for entrusting Durham with these special events,” reported Marcus Manning. The Executive Director went on to say, “We are looking forward to celebrating and promoting the NAIA, providing a great student-athlete experience and introducing Durham to the NAIA, their stakeholders and fans.”
Known for executing high-class events, Durham County has heavily invested in updating the facilities recently. In addition to an upgraded press box and turf field, the county expanded the concourse and improved the team spaces. Currently, it is the home of Tobacco Road Football Club (NPSL/USL2) and Northern High School Football.
The 67th Annual NAIA Football Championship got underway with rounds of the Football Championship Series on November 19, 26, and December 3 at campus sites. The action now shifts to Durham County Memorial Stadium on December 17th for season finale. The two teams that have made it to the Championship matchup, slated to play in Durham for the title are Northwestern College (Iowa) and Keiser University (Florida). The Northwestern Red Raiders have played in the NAIA championship game four times previously, while this year marks the Keiser Seahawks’ first appearance.
“Durham Sports Commission is an exceptional partner for the Football National Championship,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “We are pleased to bring our events back to the same venue, which has a proven track record of hosting special events that have an impact on Durham and the greater community.”
Besides football, the stadium hosts soccer, lacrosse, track and field, and archery events. It was the former home of Shaw Bears football from 2007-2018 and the Triangle Rattlers professional football. In its history, it has also welcomed the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Football Championship seven times, Legends of Honduras International Soccer Match, as well as USATF, Big Eight Athletic Conference, Powerade State Games, and the North Carolina Senior Games.
For more information on the National Championship including viewing the visitors guide, media guide, and qualifier information, visit the NAIA Football page!
ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA) The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. NAIA members provide more than 77,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports, earn $800 million in scholarships and compete in 27 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA