This December, Naples will be host to a major youth football event. The 6th, 7th and 8th grade champions will be crowned in the Football University (FBU) National Championships December 19-21, 2014.
The National Championship “Road to Naples” Tournament begins in 64 cities, with 192 teams vying for a chance at the Final Four. The tournament begins locally this weekend, December 6th and 7th, at Fleischmann Field, as the FBU Southwest Florida teams (6th, 7th and 8th) hosts Broward County, Central Florida and Sarasota. The other regional sites are Seattle, Reno, Orange County, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Des Moines, Austin, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Indiana, Northern Virginia, Kentucky, Atlanta, and West Palm Beach.
From December 19th – 21st, Naples High School and Fleischmann Park will be hosting a total of 14 games over three days. This event, produced by All American Games, is expected to draw in over 2,500 visitors and have an economic impact of over $3 million. In addition to the Final Four in each age bracket, there will be two East vs. West Eastbay Youth All American Bowl games. These All-Star games will be on December 20that 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; featuring 70 of the nation’s best seventh and eighth grade players.
The sixth grade and seventh grade FBU National Championship games will be broadcasted on ESPN3, while the final eighth grade game will be on NBC Sports Network at 3:30pm on Sunday December 21st. Admission to all Championship week games at Fleischmann and Naples High School is free.
“It has been great working with all of our partners to make this event happen in Naples,” stated Collier County Senior Sports Marketing Manager, Chris O’Brien. “All American Games has been an outstanding partner as well as the Naples City Parks, Collier County Parks and Recreation and Naples High School. We are all working hard to make this is a special week for the youth teams, Eastbay All-stars and families coming to Naples.”
On December 21st, please join us in a pregame event, entitled Celebration of Youth, leading up to the national live telecast. Youth organizations are eligible to participate in the pregame celebration. There will be prizes and a contest for the best banner presented at the event. Volunteer positions are still available for game day and registration. For more information about the “Road to Naples” FBU National Championship Weekend or the Celebration of Youth pregame event, please visit www.fbunc.com or http://www.paradisecoast.com/sports/fbufootball