25th Chicago Football Classic Preview
On Saturday, September 2, the 25th Chicago Football Classic will take place at Soldier Field with a 3:30 PM CT kickoff. The game will feature the Central State University Marauders (SIAC) and Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils (SWAC) football teams in their season openers.
"It's an honor to represent HBCU football as the only HBCU Classic that isn't played down south," CFC co-founder Tim Rand said. "The pride and love for HBCUs will be on full display. I look forward to an exciting matchup between these two teams and watching these athletes play the game they love."
CFC has partnered with HBCU GO as its broadcast partner for the game and will mark the kickoff to the 2023 HBCU football season. The game will be streamed on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
"HBCU GO is pleased to announce our partnership with the Chicago Football Classic in presenting the best in Black College sports and to amplify the voice of Black excellence to students, alumni, and the Chicagoland and surrounding communities," Curtis Symonds, president of HBCU GO said. "From documentaries, movies, sports, talk, and lifestyle programming, we're opening new doors for aspiring content creators and celebrities who support HBCUs to share their stories to shine a light on our unique cultural experience."
CFC EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
"This weekend is bigger than football," CFC co-founder Larry Huggins noted. "It's about ensuring that every deserving scholar is not deprived of the opportunity to receive higher education from HBCUs. The better educated our youth are, the better our community can be."
An HBCU College & Career Fair where students can speak to representatives from over 25 HBCUs nationwide as they begin their college search. Tailgating will commence following the fair. Fans can watch the highly coveted Battle of the High School Bands at the South Lawn, featuring the top high school bands throughout Chicagoland. CFC will award the top three marching bands a trophy and prize money.
There will also be a Vendor marketplace in Soldier Field open throughout the game, where fans can support local Black-owned businesses and purchase Greek paraphernalia.
The event highlights the rich culture Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can provide students and will include a ceremony awarding $250,000 in scholarships to students attending HBCUs.
"After a three-year hiatus, we are thrilled to bring back the Chicago Football Classic and recognize the importance of HBCUs for our African American youth," Everett Rand, CFC co-founder remarked. "While our organization works every day to ensure educational opportunities for African American students, this event represents a time when we can all come together and celebrate our culture. This year's CFC will host a weeklong series of events making this a "destination event" and one to remember."
A golf outing at Harborside International Golf Center that includes a day of contests, prizes, refreshments, and golf kicks off the festivities on Thursday, Aug. 31. The following day on Friday, Sept. 1, is the Pep Rally at Daley Plaza that will act as the official opening ceremony, featuring drum lines, cheerleaders and dance teams representing their team colors, pride and talents. The President's Reception, an invitation-only gala to honor presidents from Central State University and Mississippi Valley State University, highlights Friday evening before the "Main Event." Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, various aldermen, and Illinois state representatives are expected to attend. The evening's festivities will include a dinner and silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the CFC Scholarship Fund.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO FOOTBALL CLASSIC
The Chicago Football Classic, Inc. (CFC) is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire Black high school and college students through support for programs, initiatives, and events that increase awareness of opportunities to achieve educational excellence. Founded by brothers Everett and Tim Rand and Larry Huggins in 1997, CFC events influence students and parents to consider Historically Black Colleges and Universities' rich academic and cultural opportunities. For more information about the Chicago Football Classic, visit www.chicagofootballclassic.org.