Sports Editor

The Alabama Independent School Association completes their fall football schedule this Friday night, with the playoffs set to begin the following week.

And the playoffs are set to conclude in Troy on the campus of Troy State University on Friday, Nov. 17.

This season the AISA decided to go to a championship format similar to the one used by the public schools. School systems in the Alabama High School Athletic Association compete against each other during the playoffs on a home-and-away basis, with the final two teams in each classification meeting at Legion Field in Birmingham to decide a champion.

In June, Troy was chosen over Selma to host the AISA Football Championships for this season and in 2001.

"I used a very objective system in presenting the case between the two sites," AISA executive director John Faircloth. "Troy was a solid favorite over Selma mainly because of the different features Troy and the Troy State University offers an event like this."

The AISA has three classifications, which means six teams will play on Richard M. Scrushy Field at Memorial Stadium for the right to be called state champion on Nov. 17.

Which also means a big boost to the city of Troy’s economy.

After the AISA had confirmed its decision, TSU Chapter Development Coordinator for Alumni Affairs Mike Amos said the city should be appreciative for the foresight of the city council.

"The main reason that they are attracted to Troy and the University is because the City of Troy went out on a limb and gave TSU $4 million to improve their facilities," he said. "Without these improvements they wouldn’t be coming here. Now it is all starting to pay dividends. We’re getting a huge payday by bringing somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 or 15,000 football fans, representing six of the top AISA schools in the state."

Troy State is already the host university for the AHSAA’s basketball south regional tournament, with the winners of those tournaments also advancing to Birmingham. Now with the AISA coming to Troy State, other sporting events and state tournaments may soon follow.

"This is an all-around good thing," Amos said. "It’s a positive economic boost to our community and it also gives us a chance to show them what Troy and TSU are all about. That way we can try and lure their basketball, baseball, track and other championships here as well. Every time these kids come on our campus it gives Troy State a chance to impress them and also helps us grow as well."

The championship games for AISA Class 1A, 2A and 3A will be held in succession on Friday at Memorial Stadium The first will kickoff at noon, with the second starting at 4 p.m. and the final game starting at 8 p.m.

Although the TSU media relations department are extensively involved with the AHSSA basketball tournament, Tom Strother, media relations director said the AISA will coordinate the football championships.

"They’re going to bring their own officials, keep their own stats and run the scoreboard," said Strother. "We’re excited to be able to host these games and from what I hear they’re going to bring a huge crowd and are excited about coming to Troy."