FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2003


Clearwater High to host first-ever flag football finals; official event logo unveiled; state series terms and conditions booklet posted

GAINESVILLE – The Inaugural FHSAA Flag Football Finals state championship tournament will be played at Clearwater High School, the FHSAA Office announced today. The event will be held May 23-24, 2003.

In conjunction with the announcement, the FHSAA also unveiled the official logo for the inaugural event and posted the first-ever state series terms and conditions booklet for the sport.

Copies of the booklet and the NIRSA Flag Football Rules Book are being mailed to all participating schools this week. The first official day of flag football practice is Monday, March 17.

"Clearwater High School is the perfect location for the event," said FHSAA Director of Communications Jack Watford. "It is geographically central to the schools in the state participating in this first-ever playoff. Plus it’s just a stone throw await from Legends Field in Tampa where the FHSAA Florida Baseball Finals will be going on at the same time.”

Clearwater High School Principal Nick Grasso and Athletic Coordinator Kathy Biddle will serve as Tournament Managers. FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics Gary Pigott will direct the event.

The Florida High School Activities Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida. It has a membership of 668 middle and senior high schools and conducts state series to determine the official state champions in 23 girls and boys sports. Flag football is one of two new state championship series being inaugurated this year. The FHSAA State Boys Volleyball Series, the other first-ever playoff, will culminate with the FHSAA Boys Volleyball Finals on May 2-3 at Royal Palm Beach High School.

Contact:
Jack Watford
Director of Communications, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 170
jwatford@fhsaa.org