• Original Story at The Analyst
The Stats Perform FCS National Awards Presentation is moving to Nashville, Tennessee, for the 2025 season – gaining a new city and venue for the new campaign while keeping the same terrific spotlight on the best of the best in the Football Championship Subdivision.
The 2026 and 2027 NCAA Division I Football Championship Games will be held at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville with the Nashville Sports Council and Ohio Valley Conference serving as hosts along with Vanderbilt University and the City of Nashville.
The annual Stats Perform presentation, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of student-athletes, coaches and teams in the 129-school FCS, will be held at the Woolworth Theatre on Jan. 3, 2026. It will cap the 15th anniversary season of the Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the FCS National Freshman Player of the Year, and also include the presentations of the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Stats Perform, the sports tech leader in data and AI, offers unparalleled coverage of FCS football through its data-driven storytelling platform Opta Analyst. By delivering the Top 25 national media poll, comprehensive analysis, statistics and insights, Stats Perform enhances the experience for FCS fans and stakeholders alike.
Entering their 39th season, the FCS National Awards have a Who’s Who list of FCS standouts as past recipients, including Steve McNair, Brian Westbrook, Tony Romo, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp, Dexter Coakley, Jared Allen, Jim Tressel, Craig Bohl and Deion Sanders.
The presentation has been held in Frisco, Texas, for the last 10 seasons, but it’s shifting to Nashville to be held two nights prior to the NCAA Division I FCS Championship Game, which is moving to Music City as well at FirstBank Stadium.
The backdrop of the Woolworth Theatre – a registered historic site of downtown Nashville’s Fifth Avenue Historic District – will add to the experience. The site has been home to historic moments, from lunch counter sit-ins as part of the Civil Rights Movement to artists and performances that have helped shape the community. Its architectural marvels are reminiscent of a bygone era and add prestige to hosted events.
In addition to securing the site change for the awards presentation, Stats Perform has hired Winfield Agency to pursue an entitlement partner for the FCS National Awards and sponsors for the season-long FCS coverage. Based in Denver, Winfield Agency is a leading sports and entertainment agency specializing in sponsorship sales, strategy, and consulting for teams, leagues and events.