NORCROSS, Ga. - Finalized and formally announced today, the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) has agreed to partner with the City of Montgomery and the Central Alabama Sports Commission (CASC) for the next four years. This agreement was signed and made official today by Dr. Billy Hilyer, President of Faulkner University and Chair of the SSAC Board of Presidents as well as Todd Strange, Mayor of the City of Montgomery. The primary aspect of this relationship is that most all major events and championships will be held in Montgomery during the academic years of 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. The leadership groups of the SSAC were unanimously in support of this venture that will utilize many of the new and/or renovated facilities in Montgomery for its championships.
The hope is that the SSAC and its supporters can bring thousands of persons into Montgomery, which is the most centrally located major metropolitan area for the fifteen institutions in the SSAC. These constituent groups would include student-athletes, administrators, parents and supporters of the SSAC that in total should create an economic impact in excess of $1.3 million. The plan is that the SSAC would use the Emory Folmar Soccer Stadiums that are currently being built at the YMCA soccer complex for its soccer championships and the Multi-Plex Building under construction on the Cramton Bowl site for its men's and women's basketball and volleyball championships. A listing of the major championships coming to Montgomery can be found below.
Another feature of this partnership is the commitment by the SSAC leadership to support and co-sponsor a bid for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men's and/or Women's Soccer Championship for the years of 2012 and 2013 which would be held at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex.
Dr. Billy Hilyer states, "This relationship seems to have come about at a great time for all involved. Following the SSAC expansion a year ago, Montgomery has now become the center of the SSAC. Furthermore, this partnership creates a great opportunity for the SSAC constituents to utilize these great new or renovated facilities built by the City. This partnership is truly a major plus for all involved but at the end of the day, it provides great opportunities and venues for our student-athletes."
Todd Strange stated, "We are delighted to welcome the Southern States Athletic Conference to Montgomery and the River Region." He added, "The confidence they are showing in our ability to host these events is gratifying and validates our investment in facilities to attract these kinds of sporting events. We look forward to working with the SSAC through our Central Alabama Sports Commission and pledge to them our continued support as we look to a long term relationship."
The Southern States Athletic Conference currently has 15 members covering six states with all of its member institutions being members of the NAIA. The SSAC provides championships in 13 sports all held at neutral site facilities across the southeast. For additional information, contact Commissioner Kurt Patberg at 404-434-5146 or by email at commissioner @ssacsports.com.
Overall Opportunities for the City of Montgomery
The City of Montgomery becomes in 2012-13 the primary host city for SSAC championship events. The City is committed to host at least nine and up to eleven championships a year in the City of Montgomery as well as other meetings and special events. This partnership with the SSAC and its 15 member institutions has been entered into to promote the use of Montgomery's hotels, restaurants, and other facilities.
One major feature of this agreement for the City involves television exposure on the "SSAC Showcase" which currently runs on Fox SportsSouth that reaches 10.3 million households three times a week for sixteen weeks. This exposure includes advertisements, logo space and name recognition on the opening and closing billboards and on-air mentions about championships sites and the relationship with the City of Montgomery
Other features of this partnership included but are not limited to:
• Prominent exposure on scrolling billboard on home page of website and on the championship pages
• Primary sponsorship which includes ad placement, logo space and name recognition on 65+ SSAC webcasts
• PA announcements at regular season men's and women's basketball games and other core sporting events at SSAC member institutions promoting the Montgomery relationship with the SSAC as well as promoting our championship events being conducted in Montgomery
Championship Event Exposure
• Primary signage space at the events: displayed at press table and at various main traffic areas and sightlines.
• Name listed on promotional materials for the SSAC championships.
• Page in each championship game program to be used as desired but could be used as a welcome letter to the fans from the Mayor and other city constituents.
Champions of Character Events
The SSAC will team up with the City of Montgomery and the Central Alabama Sports Commission to make these championships memorable experiences for the student-athletes, both on and off the field of play. The SSAC, City of Montgomery, and CASC will work cohesively to put together community service and/or character-building events for the student-athletes that align with the NAIA's Champions of Character campaign.
Men's Soccer Championship November 2012, 2013, 2014
Final four teams in men's teams for this three-day event.
Women's Soccer Championship November 2012, 2013, 2014
Final four teams in women's teams for this three-day event.
Volleyball Championships November 2012, 2013, 2014
Top eight teams for a three-day event
Men's Basketball Championships Early March 2013, 2014, 2015
Final ten teams for a four-day event
Women's Basketball Championships Early March 2013, 2014, 2015
Final ten teams for a four-day event
Men's/Women's Cross Country Championships (Early November)
or Men's/Women's Golf Championships (April)
16-21teams traveling to compete in Montgomery with one or
the other of these events being held in Montgomery each year
Men's/Women's Tennis Championships Late April 2013, 2014, 2015
Southern States Spring Jamboree
Three-day function involving 220-250 persons including
meetings, banquets, golf, other social events, and meetings.
Special Events/Meetings Dates
All-Star Baseball Classic October
Spring Extravaganza May
Board of AD Meetings December
Board of Presidents' Meetings June
Southern States Athletic Conference Member Location
Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, Ala.
Belhaven College, Jackson, Miss.
Brenau University*, Gainesville, Ga.
Brewton-Parker College, Mt. Vernon, Ga. (Vidalia)
College of Coastal Georgia#, Brunswick, Ga.
Emmanuel College, Franklin Springs, Ga.
Faulkner University, Montgomery, Ala.
Lee University, Cleveland, Tenn.
Loyola University, New Orleans, La.
Shorter University**, Rome, Ga.**
Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala.
Southern Poly State University, Marietta, Ga.
Southern Wesleyan University, Central, S.C. (Clemson)
Truett McConnell College, Cleveland, Ga.
University of Mobile, Mobile, Ala.
William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Miss.
* Women's only undergraduate curriculum/sponsor only women's sports
**Leaving SSAC after 2011-12
#Joining SSAC in 2012-13
