INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The NCAA has announced the 10 Division II Game Environment Award Winners of Excellence, with Concordia University, St. Paul capturing the honor to represent the Northern Sun (NSIC). The award, established last year, was to incite institutions to promote civility, sportsmanship and a family-friendly atmosphere at their athletics contest. Concordia won the award for their efforts at Military Appreciation Day on September 19, 2009, the inaugural football game at Sea Foam Stadium against Winona State in front of a standing-room crowd of 3,615.
The University of West Florida won the inaugural award, receiving a $500 grant to be used towards future game environment initiatives.
For more information on the NCAA's Game Environment Award Winners of Excellence, visit:
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaahome?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/ncaa/ncaa/ncaa+news/ncaa+news+online/2010/division+ii/west+florida+is+first+game+environment+winner
Pre-game festivities included a co-ed military flag football scrimmage with spectators encouraged to attend and tailgate in Concordia's parking lots following the scrimmage.
Other pre-game festivities included an enlistment ceremony, mayoral proclamation from the City of St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and the team taking the field together for the first time to a firework display before honorary captain Major General Richard Wegner assisted the captains with the coin flip.
The stadium was decorated with countless red, white and blue flags throughout but the big appeal was the 30'x50' flag displayed during Dr. David Mennicke's National Anthem. Immediately prior to kickoff was a fly-over by the Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Charity.
There were plenty of other important military recognition spots throughout the game as well, including the honoring of former CU football players, teh late Sgt. Michael Carlson and Sgt. Adam Kroth. Carlson lost his life in Iraq while saving two others in a tragic accident while Kroth was home on a two week leave to see the inaugural game at the stadium, before going back to serve in Iraq.
The halftime show featured a performance by the CU Dance Team while the CSP Choir performed "Mansions of the Lord" and "The Armed Forces Medley" before Concordia's newest football player, Damian Heairet, was presented with a $180,000 ROTC scholarship on the field.
Fans were encouraged to stay in their seats following the game for a fireworks show at the south end zone, capping off a great first night in Concordia's new home football stadium.
