(Champaign, IL) – Before top-notch athletes from around the country face each other in the quarter final round of the NCAA D-I Wrestling Championships, the17th Annual “Champions” Breakfast will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia-Stadium in Philadelphia, PA.

The breakfast, hosted by FCA, one of the world’s largest sports ministries, and National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) will include a tribute to Athletes in Action’s wrestling staff as well as screening AIA’s video “Uncommon Champions” featuring 2010 NCAA champion wrestlers Jayson Ness (Minnesota) and Brent Metcalf (Iowa). Ness, Metcalf and FCA Wrestling’s newly appointed National Director Carl Perry will speak during the breakfast.

FCA Wrestling (FCAW)was launched as an official FCA Sport-Specific Ministry in 2009. New FCAW National Director Carl Perry (currently Associate Head Coach at Illinois) anticipates his new challenge. “I am excited about this new direction for my life and look forward to seeing what God is going to do through FCA Wrestling.” 

The Holiday Inn Philadelphia-Stadium islocated in the heart of the Sports and Entertainment complex at 10th Street and Packer within walking distance of the Wells Fargo Center, (site of the competition).You can park your car in the WFC lots, walk to the HI-Stadium, enjoy the “Champions” Breakfast and be back at the WFC in plenty of time for Friday’s round beginning at 10:00a.m.
NWCA coaches and members can receive free tickets, plus the general public can purchase tickets at the NWCA booth in the Wells Fargo Center during the First Round of wrestling competition, Thursday, March 17. 

For more information on ticket purchase or general event questions, contact Tim Johnson at (217) 841-3199 or email at tjohnson@fca.org.

About FCA
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the heart and soul in sports, is touching millions of lives... one heart at a time. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in the world and focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.