Players getting unified of purpose before the game
2019 Black College Football Classics
Black College Football Classics are unlike other football bowl games, such as the Rose Bowl or Orange Bowl. Accompanied by parades, concerts before the game, and alumni social events that often include golf, they are black cultural institutions. Though most of the football games are outstanding, the real show is the half time Battle of the Bands. Savvy fans get their concession refills before Half Time. Established classics attract large crowds of alumni, fans, pro scouts, national sports networks and corporate sponsorships. Some classics fill up all hotel rooms in a big city. So make your travel plans early!
AUGUST
John Merritt Classic
8/31/19; Mississippi Valley State vs. Tennessee State; Nashville, TN; http://www.merrittclassic.com
SEPTEMBER
MEAC-SWAC Challenge
9/01/19; Bethune-Cookman vs. Jackson State; Atlanta, GA; http://espnevents.com/meac-swac/
Jake Gaither Classic
9/01/19; Florida A&M vs. Fort Valley State; Tallahassee, FL; http://www.goldenbullsports.com
Atlantic Union Bank Battle of the States
9/07/19; Norfolk State vs. Virginia State; Norfolk, VA; https://nsuspartans.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=170
Labor Day Classic
9/07/19; Tuskegee University vs. Alabama State; Memphis, TN; http://pvpanthers.com
Louis Crews Classic
9/07/19; Alabama A&M vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff; Huntsville, AL; weblink
Southern Heritage Classic
9/14/19; Tennessee State vs. Jackson State; Memphis, TN; http://www.southernheritageclassic.com
Chicago Football Classic
9/14/19; Howard vs. Hampton; Chicago, IL; http://www.chicagofootballclassic.biz
Eddie McGirt Classic
9/14/19; Johnson C. Smith vs. Benedict; Charlotte, NC; https://goldenbullsports.com/index.aspx?path=football
West End Classic
9/14/19; Livingstone College vs. Elizabeth City State; Salisbury, NC; http://bluebearathletics.com/
Augusta City Classic
9/21/19; Benedict vs. Savannah State; Augusta, GA; https://www.facebook.com/AugustaCityClassic/
Lucille Brown Youth Bowl
9/28/19; Virginia Union vs. Winston-Salem State; Richmond, VA; https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGE_P5WJ6F9FwhycdmrV8FTSg9h99S1hUUsk8vkrtZOBfvmg/viewform
Down East Viking Football Classic
9/28/19; Elizabeth City State vs. Florida State; Rocky Mount, NC; http://www.ecsu.edu/events
Circle City Classic
9/28/19; Kentucky State vs. Jackson State; Indianapolis, IN; http://www.circlecityclassic.com
Upstate HBCU Classic
9/28/19; Fort Valley State vs. Benedict; Columbia, SC; https://www.benedict.edu/mec-category/football/
Gulf Coast Challenge
9/28/19; Alabama A&M vs. Central State; Mobile, AL; https://aamusports.com/news/2019/3/14/alabama-am-releases-2019-football-schedule.aspx
State Fair Classic
9/28/19; Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M; Dallas, TX; https://www.dallassports.org/microsites/state-fair-classic/index.html
OCTOBER
Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic
10/12/19; Tuskegee vs. Morehouse; Columbus, GA; http://www.tuskegee-morehouse.com
State Fair Showdown
10/19/19; Texas Southern vs. Southern; Dallas, TX; http://statefairshowdown.com/
Whitewater Classic
10/26/19; Tuskegee vs. Lane; Phenix City, AL; https://pcwhitewaterclassic.com
Magic City Classic
10/26/19; Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M; Birmingham, AL; http://www.themagiccityclassic.com
NOVEMBER
Commemorative Classic
11/09/19; Johnson C. Smith vs. Livingstone; Charlotte, NC; http://commemorativeclassic.net
Raleigh Classic
11/09/19; Shaw vs. St. Augustine’s; Raleigh, NC
http://www.shawbears.com/sports/fball/
Fountain City Classic
11/09/19; Albany State vs. Fort Valley State; Columbus, GA; http://www.fvsusports.com
CIAA Championship
11/16/19; CIAA North Champion vs. CIAA South Champion; Salem, VA
SIAC Championship
11/16/19; SIAC East Champion vs. SIAC West Champion; https://thesiac.com
Florida Classic
11/23/19; Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman; Orlando, FL; http://www.floridaclassic.org
Soul Bowl
11/23/19; Jackson State vs. Alcorn State; Jackson, MS; https://gojsutigers.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=17
St. Louis Heritage Classic
11/23/19; Kentucky State vs. Lincoln (MO); St. Louis, MO; https://www.facebook.com/events/362632164392855/
Turkey Day Classic
11/28/19; Alabama State vs. Prairie View A&M; Montgomery, AL; http://www.bamastatesports.com
Bayou Classic
11/30/19; Grambling State vs. Southern; New Orleans, LA; http://www.mybayouclassic.com
DECEMBER
SIAC Football Championship; TBD; http://www.thesiac.com
SWAC Football Championship
12/7/19; TBD; Houston, TX; http://www.swac.org
Celebration Bowl
12/21/19; SWAC Champion vs. MEAC Champion; Atlanta, GA; https://www.thecelebrationbowl.com
Miss roller skating rinks. Grew up roller skating in the late 50s, all thru 60s, early 70s, then off & on after older.
Loved “colored night” at all those wonderful midwest rinks. It was definitely NOT an insult…but an anticipated weekly opportunity to “party”, playing all “our” jamming music. Every rink had a different night so we traveled all over just to skate, party, & see cool, beautiful black folks from all over in one place.