WASHINGTON, D.C.  (June 7, 2012) –Events DC and Marriott International recently announced that Marriott will once again serve as the “Official Lodging Partner” for the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™, resuming a successful partnership that will offer Classic attendees discounted hotel room rates for an impressive portfolio of properties around the city, and provide an official headquarters hotel for signature Classic events during the 2012 Labor Day weekend.

The JW Marriott Washington, DC is the headquarters hotel and will serve as the hub for AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ activity during the weekend. Other participating properties include Washington Marriott at Metro Center (team hotel), Courtyard US Capitol, Courtyard Embassy Row, The Mayflower Renaissance and The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.

 “Many fans took advantage of the premier facilities and stellar service that Marriott offered last year, and in the spirit of this great partnership, Marriott is offering an additional discount off the promotional rate for rooms reserved through June 30,” said Erik A. Moses, managing director of Events DC’s Sports and Entertainment Division. “All of the properties are centrally located in and around downtown D.C., and convenient to RFK Stadium, restaurants and the historic attractions the city is famous for.”

The Classic takes place during Labor Day weekend between the Howard University Bison and the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers on Saturday, September 1 at RFK Stadium with a kickoff time of 3:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are priced $25 to $50 (plus all applicable fees), and on sale at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office located at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Through June 30, $25 tickets are available for $15 with the use of the promotion code “hbison” (while tickets last).

“In partnership with Events DC, our D.C. hotels look forward to building on the success of last year’s game,” added Joe Stern, Washington, D.C. area sales leader, Marriott International. “This year, we are offering even better rates for all the passionate fans who will travel to Washington, D.C. for this spectacular event.”

Each hotel has a limited room block so attendees are encouraged to make reservations early to receive the discounted and promotional rates. To make reservations, please visit www.nationsfootballclassic.com or call 800-266-9432 (use reference code: NFF).

The Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and located at 2455 Sixth Street, NW. Washington, DC 20059. The Morehouse College Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and located at 830 Westview Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30314.

For more information on the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™, please visit www.nationsfootballclassic.com.

About the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™
The AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ is a black college football game held annually at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. since 2011. This year, the game features Morehouse College against Howard University. Organized by Events DC, the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ was created to celebrate the passion and tradition of the college football experience, recognize the history of service to others by the students, faculty and alumni of historically black colleges and universities, highlight the unity of African American culture, and honor the heritage and excellence of these proud institutions. Tickets for the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Seats are priced $25 to $50.

About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital.  Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes the historic Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, and the non-military functions of the DC Armory.  Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, two Truman Scholars, a Marshall Scholar, 30 Fulbright Scholars and 11 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, call 202-238-2330, or visit the University's Web site at www.howard.edu.