Destroyers to Host UFL Championship Game Friday
October 17, 2011 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Virginia Destroyers News Release
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA (October 16, 2011) The Virginia Destroyers will host the 2011 UFL Championship Game against the Las Vegas Locomotives at 8 pm Friday, Oct. 21, at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
Parking lots at Sportsplex will be open beginning at 4 pm on Friday. Fans may use Concert Drive off Princess Anne Road in addition to Dam Neck Road for access to the Sportsplex.
The Destroyers and the Locos are the UFL's only 3-1 teams. The Omaha Nighthawks and the Sacramento Mountain Lions, both with 1-3 records, will play a consolation game at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, also on Oct. 21 at 8 pm.
The Destroyers, coached by Marty Schottenheimer, locked up a berth in the Championship Game despite losing 27-20 in overtime to Sacramento on Saturday night.
In addition to an unbeaten home record, the Destroyers have attracted crowds of 12,167 and 12,617 for their two games at Sportsplex. The Destroyers also have more than 8,500 social media followers, meeting the criteria required to influence the UFL's choice of venue for its third annual title game.
The Locos are the only UFL champions in league history, having beaten the Florida Tuskers in 2009 and 2010.
"The Hampton Roads region will be the perfect venue for our season showpiece and has earned the right to host the game and we are certain football fans will pack the Virginia Beach Sportsplex," said UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue. "The Virginia market has been a great success for the UFL in terms of attendance and social media interaction and of course having a winning team on the field, so we are rewarding Virginia with the right to host the game.
"Our two top teams are playing in the Championship Game next week and at 3-1 they are deadlocked with the best record, so are deserving finalists. They in large part have a three-year grudge match going on by virtue of Virginia having many former Florida Tuskers players. I am confident this game will be another spectacular close to our third season."
Destroyers owner Bill Mayer added: "We are delighted that the Virginia Destroyers have been recognized for our early success both on and off the field in the relatively short history of the organization. We are excited that fans will get to see our team take on the perennial champion of the UFL in what will be a very close and physical game on Friday night."
UFL founder and owner Bill Hambrecht, who is also the Locos owner, said: "This strategy of moving straight to the Championship Game is the best means by which to take the UFL forward. We faced many challenges during the offseason, but were still able to kick off our third season.
"The focus on building a blueprint for the long-term success of the league begins immediately with plans to expand to a minimum of six teams for the 2012 season."
Fans who purchased tickets for cancelled games will be offered full refunds. Destroyer fans may use tickets for the originally scheduled home game on Oct. 21 for admission to the UFL Championship Game.
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United Football League Stories from October 17, 2011
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