Hampton Roads, VA — For the first time, the Hampton Roads Sports Commission (HRSC) will host a Celebration of College Football Awards Dinner. The dinner will be held annually to recognize and celebrate the football programs of the Apprentice School, Christopher Newport University, College of William and Mary, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and Old Dominion University.

The awards dinner will take place on January 31, 2012 at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside (777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk) from 6:00pm – 8:30pm.

The Hampton Roads Sports Commission Player of the Year Awards will be presented to the top offensive and defensive players within the region. Each football program will provide a selection committee with its nominated student athlete for each category.  The selection committee, consisting of local sports experts familiar with the school football programs, will then select the student athletes who will receive the Hampton Roads Sports Commission Player of the Year Awards.  The top offensive and defensive players will be announced at the January 31 awards dinner.

Awards Dinner tickets are $50 per person.  For individual reservations, go to Events.HamptonRoadsChamber.com. For sponsorship information, please contact Morgan Lang, Associate Executive Director, at mlang@hrccva.com or (757) 664-2573.

 About the Hampton Roads Sports Commission (www.HamptonRoadsSports.org)

In February 1999, the Hampton Roads Sports Commission (HRSC) was formed as a private/public partnership among the municipalities of Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. The Sports Commission's primary function is to attract major amateur athletic events to the area to emphasize regional collaboration. The HRSC promotes Hampton Roads while enhancing the economy and quality of life of its residents by creating and recruiting local and national amateur, military and youth sporting events, while providing unparalleled customer service.  Past HRSC events include: the AAU Junior Olympic Games (1998, 2001, 2006, 2010), the National Senior Games (2003), and the Red Cross Heroes Games (2004, 2005). During the past 12 years, the HRSC has generated more than $168 million in economic impact for the region.  The Hampton Roads Sports Commission is an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

About the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce (www.HamptonRoadsChamber.com)

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit, member-based business organization. The Chamber is a vigorous advocate for the economic success of its nearly 2,000 member businesses, which employ more than 280,000 men and women in southeastern Virginia.  The Chamber promotes Hampton Roads’ healthy business climate through economic development, public policy initiatives, services and benefits to members.  The Chamber is dedicated to creating economic opportunity and enhancing the quality of life in Hampton Roads.

Please contact Lisa Jones at 757-664-2531 or ljones@hrccva.com if you would like to schedule an interview or attend the Awards Dinner.

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