Oklahoma Eight-Man All-Star Football Game returns to Miami, Oklahoma

The City of Miami and the Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) in partnership with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and the Oklahoma Eight Man Football Coaches Association (OEMFCA) will host the 2017 Oklahoma 8-Man All-Star Football Week in Miami. The game was brought from Alva to Miami in 2003. This will be the 15th year for the Miami CVB and NEO A&M College to join forces with OEMFCA to host the Eight-Man All-Star Game in Miami.

Eighty (80) of the top football players from across Oklahoma will arrive in Miami on Tuesday, June 13th, for a full schedule of activities leading up to the Green vs. Gold Showdown. More than twenty coaches representing the 8-Man Football Association will lead and train these players leading up to the showdown. The players will enjoy a cookout on Tuesday, sponsored by local organizations; followed by a private swim party at Miami’s municipal pool, the largest in the state. On Wednesday, the group will be treated to an evening at the Historic Coleman Theatre in downtown Miami. Thursday night will be hosted by Miami Friends Church and will include a hypnotist among other activities. The annual awards banquet will take place on Friday, June 16th, at 7 p.m.  Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the Miami CVB. 

The game will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 17th, at Red Robertson Field located at NEO A&M College. Gates will open at 4 p.m. and cost for the game is $5 for all ages. Tickets will be available in advance at the Miami CVB (111 N Main Street) or can be purchased at the gate on the day of the game.

Media outlets are invited to attend a press conference on Wednesday, June 14th, at 12:30 p.m. in the Calcagno Family Ballroom at NEO A&M College. Players, coaches, and event coordinators will be available for interviews and photos at the press conference.

The All-Star Game was designed to recognize and honor the finest football players throughout Oklahoma. Nearly 3,000 fans from across the state are expected to attend the game; College recruiters and scouts will also be in attendance. In addition to the game, the All-Star event provides scholarships for the players. The OEMFCA and Corporate Sponsors award a total of $11,000 in scholarships to twelve (12) student athletes. 

The event is organized by the Miami CVB and the OEMFCA. Corporate Sponsors for this event are Touchstone Energy, Miami CVB, Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Center for Orthopedics/Dr. Sean O’Brien. Additional event sponsors include PlayLand Lanes, City of Miami, Miami News Record, Coleman Theatre, Miami Friends Church, Russell Athletics, NEO A&M College, Miami Rotary Club, Miami Kiwanis Club, Miami Lions Club, Tote Along, Gary Crow, Dr. Mark Folks, The Coleman House Restaurant/Buffalo Run Casino and Alert Services.

This year, more than thirty (30) All-Star Cheerleaders from across Oklahoma will join in the activities to cheer on both teams. Each cheerleader was nominated by their cheer coaches and selected by a committee to participate in the game on Saturday. The All-Star Cheer Team will perform at halftime during the game. They will also be recognized at the Awards Banquet on Friday evening hosted by the Miami CVB. Two (2) senior cheerleaders will each receive a $500 scholarship from the OEMFCA.

Bill Pingleton will be inducted into the OEMFCA Hall of Fame at the banquet on Friday night and recognized during the game on Saturday. Members of the OEMFCA Hall of Fame will be recognized during halftime.   Hall of Famers are encouraged to register with the Miami CVB by contacting Lauren Hart, CVB Events Coordinator, at (918)542-4435 or by email at lhart@miamiokla.net.

“Eight-Man Week is an exciting time for the City of Miami,” said Amanda Davis, CVB Executive Director and City of Miami Director of Tourism. “We look forward to welcoming the players, coaches, and their families into our community. This event brings in many non-local visitors and provides an economic boost to our hotel and sales tax base. Miami has a great team of volunteers that work to make events successful.   We are thrilled to welcome Oklahoma Farm Bureau back this year as a corporate sponsor,” Davis added. 

“This is the 15th year for Miami to host the game and our tourism team and the local organizing committee is looking forward to another great 8-Man week. The Oklahoma 8-Man football family is a great group of people and it is an honor for us to continue to host their all-star event in Miami,” said Davis. 

Game merchandise and concessions will be available. For more information about the event, please contact the Miami CVB at (918)542-4435.