The Chicago Football Classic

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, September 18, 2013


The 16th Annual Chicago Football Classic (CFC) presented by BMO Harris Bank and Sherman Dodge will once again exhibit on Saturday, September 21 at Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Dr. Touting a high quality football game between historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), spirited pre kick-off events and a dedication to provide Chicagoland high school students with opportunities to pursue a higher education, CFC has become a great tradition for the city.

The CFC is one of over fifty traditional football game and weeklong celebrations held between HBCUs across the nation. Since its’ inception in 1997, the CFC has invited several HBCUs to play in the game.

This year, Morehouse College (MC) from Atlanta, GA., (0-1) and Central State University (CSU) from Wilberforce, OH (0-1) will share the spotlight at Soldier Field. In addition to the football game, CFC produces the HBCU College Fair and Empowerment Summit, High School Battle of the Bands, pep Rally and of course pre-Game tailgating is encouraged.

According to the CFC website, Larry Huggins, Everett Rand and Tim Rand formed the Chicago Football Classic as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging African American youth to achieve their personal best in school and beyond.

“It’s very important that we showcase this event, which is a city-wide event… What you see here is group of people that are dedicated to not just public service but to the neighborhood. It’s very important that the aldermen, the mayor and everyone in this room support the Chicago Football Classic,” said Everett Rand at a press conference about the CFC.

“Nothing is more important to the achievement of all us in achieving our goals as a country and as a society than the education of our children. This is a great sporting event; most importantly it’s about the dedication we all have to make sure that every child goes to college,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel during the press conference. “The biggest prohibitive factor in children going to college and families getting them on their way is cost; and everything we can do to help families afford their children going to college so they don’t have to go to the poor house is a great addition.”

Alderman Carrie Austin of the 34th Ward, CFC Chairwoman and long supporter of the event, also attended the press conference last week.

“This is not about anyone of us, it’s about our children, it’s about how we can sow into their lives so that they can become productive children,” said Austin.

The CFC has also garnered respect from Chicago Public School educators.

“The [Chicago Classic] is important; it provides Chicago high school students a chance to be part of an academic culture and social culture that tend not to be available at the collegial level [in] the inner city, so it brings what many of us have experienced in southern part of country, historically black colleges, to Chicago and [provides] our students [a] forum to actually be part of that experience,” said Kenwood Academy High School Principal Gregory Jones, a Chicago Public School (CPS) graduate from Dunbar High School and a Grambling State University alum.

Ticket prices range from $15-$40 and can be purchased at Riteway Huggins Construction Inc., 1030 E. 87th St.; Midway Wholesalers Inc. 41 W. 84th St.; at participating Wal-Greens and online at Ticketmaster.com.

For additional information and to purchase tickets for the Chicago Football Classic, visit ww.chicagofootballclassic.biz.

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