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The Granddaddy Of All Classics – More Than A Classic

A.D. Drew • Oct 03, 2024

The Granddaddy Of All Classics – More Than A Classic

Columbus, GA |  Which ever name you put first when describing this classic: Morehouse-Tuskegee or Tuskegee-Morehouse, this classic, without a doubt, is the oldest classic among all of the classic football games played by HBCUs. Putting this game in historical context, there are only three other neutral site footballs that have been played longer. Except for the Covid year of 2020, this game has run continuous, as a neutral site classic, since 1936. Only the Rose Bowl (1902, annual since 1916), the Orange Bowl (1935), and the Sugar Bowl (1935) have had a longer streak. The game is the longest running NCAA Division II classic in the nation. No wonder this game is dubbed “The Granddaddy of All Classics”.

The Classic returns to Columbus, GA, after a three-year stint in Birmingham, AL, to A.J. McClung Stadium. This year’s game is being billed as the 85th Annual Classic, but The Classic has been played for 88 years, counting the three years in Birmingham. This will be the 114th meeting of the two Tigers on the gridiron, on Saturday, Golden vs. Maroon.
Of the ten HBCU teams with the nickname of Tigers, half of them reside in the SIAC, the second oldest HBCU conference in the nation. Only three sets of Tigers distinguish themselves with a color: Blue (Lincoln University, MO), Golden (Tuskegee University), and Maroon (Morehouse College). As the two Tigers battle for color supremacy, it is important to understand the history of the game.

A Quick History of The Classic

The football rivalry began in 1902 between the two institutions. The rivalry has continued annually, except for 1903, 1905, 1906, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1929, 1934, and 1935.  

The Classic was created as an entertainment event for the African-American civilian community and U.S. Army soldiers in the Columbus-Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), GA and Phenix City area. The purpose, today, is to help raise funds for scholarships to help young men and women attend college.

The game, on October 5, 2024, is expected to bring over $800K of economic impact to the city of Columbus. Obviously, it will be interesting to measure the crowd after a three-year absence.  

The Game

For Morehouse, this classic is the third classic for the Maroon Tigers in four weeks. Morehouse has also participated in the HNCUNY Classic (Sept. 14) and the Chicago Football Classic (Sept. 21). Morehouse enters the game with a record of 1-4 (1-2 (SIAC), while Tuskegee enters the contest with a record of 1-3 (1-1 SIAC). Morehouse defeated Kentucky State, two weeks ago in the Chicago Classic, 31-28. Tuskegee picked up their first win on Sunday, 27-13, over Edward Waters. Tuskegee owns the all-time series with a record of 74-30-7. Since 1940, Tuskegee leads 60-20-3. Tuskegee defeated Morehouse 40-28 in Birmingham last season. Morehouse’s last victory was in 2021, 31-15. Tuskegee has won 8 of the last ten meeting between the two teams, with the other Morehouse victory coming in 2018 (30-24).  

The game will kickoff at 2PM ET and be broadcast on ESPN+. Tickets are available at www.tuskegeemorehouse.com.  


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