VALDOSTA — The NCAA Division II National Championship Celebration has moved from the Valdosta State University front lawn to the VSU athletic complex.

The change in venue was decided Tuesday due to potential inclement weather later in the week, said Kit Strief, assistant athletic director for communications.

The event is still scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 24, Strief said. Doors to the athletic complex will open 5:30 p.m., and the observance will start 6 p.m.

Strief said nothing else about the event will change and there will still be live music, food and drink, facial tattoos, national championship merchandise, autographs and photos with the trophy. There will also be a Blazer Walk by the bridge between the athletic complex, 401 Baytree Road, and the Oak Street parking lot.

The event celebrates the VSU Blazers 14-0 record and the school’s recent fourth national championship win in 14 years, Strief said.

“It’s an exciting thing,” he said, “The fourth national championship in 14 years. That’s pretty impressive. Coach (Kerwin) Bell is the third coach to win a national championship in football here. We are the only school in Division II history to have three different coaches win football national championships at the same school.”

The observance is open to the public, and Strief invited the community to attend.

“We really want as many people to come out and celebrate and be a part of an unprecedented season and be a part of the history of TitleTown,” he said.  

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.