West Texas A&M awarded host of NJCAA DI Football Championship
Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has selected West Texas A&M University as the host site for the 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 NJCAA Division I Football Championships presented by Zurich Insurance.
West Texas A&M will host the championship at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon, TX. The state-of-the-art stadium opened in 2019 and has been regarded as one of the best stadiums in NCAA Division II football.
"I am pleased that West Texas will host the NJCAA Division I Football National Championships for the next four years in our acclaimed Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in the heart of our campus," said Walter V. Wendler, West Texas A&M University President. "Our partnership with the Amarillo Convention & Visitors Bureau and Canyon Chamber of Commerce to bring this championship game to our area will result in a significant economic impact for both cities, and as we make clear in our long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World, serving our region is our top priority."
The Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium seats 8,500 with an estimated total capacity of 12,000 when including overflow berm seating and standing-room-only space at the concourse level. The stadium features a video scoreboard structure, a ribbon board system, and a concourse that provides full circulation for patrons around the stadium. Along with great features around the stadium, the field itself is a Hellas Cushdrain field which helps reduce the impact on the head during tackles creating a safer game.
"The NJCAA is excited for the future of the DI Football Championship in Amarillo and Canyon," stated Brian Luckett, NJCAA Senior Vice President for External Affairs & Development. "West Texas A&M has an incredible facility with top of the line features that are going to play an integral role in the championship experience for NJCAA student-athletes, coaches, and fans."
The 2024 NJCAA Division I Football Championship will take place on Wednesday, December 18 at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT and will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
About West Texas A&M University
WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men's and women's athletics programs.
