Angela Jenkins, TISD Director of Communications                                                                    August 25, 2006

(903) 262-1064                                                                                                                        For Immediate Release

 

News Release

Trinity Mother Frances Becomes Title Sponsor Of
Season-Opening Football Event

 

Tyler – One of the nation’s premier season-opening high school football events, the East Texas Football Classic has been officially renamed the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic.

 

The long-term partnership between Trinity Mother Frances Health System and the Tyler ISD began in February of 2004 to include – among other benefits – renaming of Rose Stadium. The agreement between both parties will be expanded beginning with the 2006-07 school year to include Title Sponsorship of the season’s opening football weekend at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

 

“We are honored to expand our partnership with Trinity Mother Frances Health System,” said TISD Superintendent David Simmons.  “Once again Trinity Mother Frances Health System has stepped up to sponsor an important event for Tyler and all of East Texas.  TISD continues to be very appreciative of their support and hope we can continue working together for many years to come.”

 

The third-annual Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic will be held August 31, September 1 and 2. The four-game event opens as Gilmer High School takes on Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman High School, at 8 PM on August 31.

 

Bishop Gorman represents the third out-of-state high school in as many years to compete in the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic. In 2004, San Diego Mira Mesa traveled to Tyler to become the first California public school to oppose a Texas high school. Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna then opened its 2005 season in Tyler, and last season won a Florida state championship, becoming the fourth school in three years to compete in the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic and to win a state title later that season.

 

"The partnership between TISD and Trinity Mother Frances Health System has been very beneficial and groundbreaking," said Ray Thompson, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Trinity Mother Frances Health System.  "Since Trinity Mother Frances expanded our commitment to TISD in 2004, we have continually searched for new avenues to benefit the sports programs and Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium itself. The Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic brings attention to not only TISD athletics, but to Tyler and all of East Texas."

The third-annual Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic continues with Tyler Lee hosting Lake Highlands at 8 PM on September 1. Tyler Lee is 2-0 in the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic and followed its first appearance in the event in 2004 to later win the Class 5A, Division I state championship.   

 

The Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic doubleheader on September 2 begins with an exciting 4A battle: Forney High School playing nearby Whitehouse High School (10 AM kickoff), followed by John Tyler High School and Texas High School from Texarkana in the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic finale at 8 PM. One of the finest rivalries in East Texas, Texas High and John Tyler are meeting for the third time in the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic, with each school gaining a victory during the past two years.

 

Prior to kickoff of the Texas High and John Tyler game on September 2, the Tyler ISD will honor John Tyler graduate Earl Campbell, the “Tyler Rose,” by naming the field at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in his honor.

 

The four-game, three-day Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic is managed by Texas-based TITUS Sports Marketing, which also created the partnership between Trinity Mother Frances Health System and the TISD. 

 

Reserved tickets for the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic are good for all four games and are currently available at each of the participating schools in the event.  Tickets may also be purchased at the gate, based on availability, for $10.

For more information, please contact TITUS Sports Marketing at 972-633-8080; Angela Jenkins, Office of Communications and Public Relations at the Tyler ISD at 903-262-1064; or John Moore, Media Relations, Trinity Mother Frances Health System, at 903-531-4542.

 

 

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