CHICAGO FOOTBALL CLASSIC IS BACK!

Larry Huggins, co-founder of the Chicago Football Classic, along elected officials during a press conference about the Chicago Football Classic. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHICAGO FOOTBALL CLASSIC.
Larry Huggins, co-founder of the Chicago Football Classic, along elected officials during a press conference about the Chicago Football Classic. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHICAGO FOOTBALL CLASSIC.

CHICAGO FOOTBALL CLASSIC IS BACK!

BY TIA CAROL JONES

The Chicago Football Classic is back after a hiatus because of the
pandemic. This year, Mississippi Valley State University and Central
State University will play on Saturday, Sept. 2nd, at Soldiers Field. It is the 25th year for the football game that features teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Tahman Bradley, of WGN-TV, talked about the value of attending a Historically Black College and University. “That’s what you get at an HBCU, tremendous diversity. You’re accepted for who you are, you bring something unique and different. Our HBCU’s are so valuable and so important,” Bradley, who graduated from Howard University, said.

Larry Huggins, co-founder of the Chicago Football Classic, talked about the history of the game and how elected officials have supported the game, year in and year out. Huggins said that the elected officials have
made a commitment to bring young people from their districts and
wards to the Classic in September. Huggins spoke about how he and
Everett Rand wanted to bring a football classic to Chicago after going to the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis.

Lamont Robinson, 4th Ward Alderman, talked about how the Chicago Football Classic not only brings football teams from HBCUs to Chicago, there is also a scholarship component to the event. As a graduate of Clark-Atlanta University, Robinson understands the importance of Historically Black Colleges and the importance of education.

“I want to thank Larry and his team and the Rands for all they do, not only around education, but supporting the African- American community 365 days a year. Not just for the game, but for Christmas in the Wards. They are the ones who make our city great,” Robinson said.

Stephanie Coleman, 16th Ward Alderman, recalled the first
time she attended the Chicago Football Classic. “Thank you for
blessing us with not only this experience, but for curating a time
that our Black boys and girls will witness what an HBCU looks
like and bringing Black leadership to the greatest city ever,” Coleman
said. “Having a college fair and extending an opportunity so
that our children will know and have a chance to be students.”

Huggins said that every year, the College Fair gives $1M in college scholarships to the students who attend and go to HBCUs. He added, with the Supreme Court’s decision on Affirmative Action, attending an HBCU is more important now than ever before. This year Huggins
also wants to fill every one of the 62,000-plus seats at Soldier Field.

Glenn Eden, Chairman of Choose Chicago, called the Chicago Football Classic an iconic event. “This family-oriented event continues
to highlight the opportunities and the wealth of knowledge students
receive at these prolific schools. This event adds to a unique diversity and
inclusivity of tourism in our great city, by bringing together so many HBCU alumni, students and fans in Chicagoland and across the nation,” he said.

City of Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin announced a new initiative, in partnership with the Huggins and the Rand families, called the Chicago Financial Youth Symposium and Greek Show. It will be a prelude to the game on Thursday, Aug. 31st, at Chicago State University. During
the event, young people, grades 9-12, will receive information necessary for them to attend college and vocational training, as well as assistance to apply for scholarship and grant opportunities.

For more information about the Chicago Football Classic, visit https://www.chicagofootballclassic.org.

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