Saint Xavier head coach Mike Feminis answers questions from the media during a press conference Thursday, December 15, 2011 held at the Darlington School. (Daniel Varnado RN-T.com)
But this time will be a little more meaningful than the ones that have come before it.
It was in the summer of 2007 that Feminis traveled to Rome as part of a group of NAIA officials that visited Barron Stadium and local facilities when the city was vying for a chance to host the NAIA National Championship game.
He returned a year later after Rome had won the bid to host the title contest to see the progress that had been made and said during that visit he hoped his team would have the opportunity to play here.
Today, Feminis gets to turn that hope into a reality as the Cougars face Carroll College at Barron Stadium in the title game beginning at 4:30 p.m.
“I’ve told many people I love the people at the NAIA but I’m glad I’m here working the sidelines and not working for them this week,” said Feminis, who was also in Rome for the 2008 championship game as the game administrator.
Friday was his first chance to get a closer look at the upgrades that have been done to Barron Stadium since his first visit such as the artificial turf, video scoreboard and entrance plaza.
“I just love what they did here,” Feminis said.
“I was impressed four years ago and it is just that much better now. That turf is beautiful … it is an absolute first-class facility.”
Rome won the bid to host the NAIA championship after the game was played in Savannah, Tenn., between 1996 and 2007.
“This is no disrespect to the people of Savannah because they did a wonderful job there, too,” Feminis said. “But this is a whole different animal. The people down here are just unbelievable.”
The players at Saint Francis are getting a taste of playing in a national championship for the first time and Feminis said he has spoke highly of the people of Rome and their hospitality.
“I tried telling our guys before hand that you’re going to be treated like kings here,’ Feminis said. “They’re going to treat you like you’re going to the Rose Bowl. You’re a major Division I player. And in my mind they are.”
Click here to buy tickets for the NAIA Championship Game.
Click here for the Carroll athletic site.
Click here for the St. Xavier athletic site.
Click here for the NAIA Championship Game site.
Click here for the NAIA site.
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