By Paula Anderson
It has been 30 years since the unique concept of merging football and entertainment into one weekend celebration for alumni from Tennessee State University (TSU) and Jackson State University (JSU) came into existence.
Fred Jones, founder of Summitt Management Corporation said, “The Classic was created to allow both schools to bring alumni together to enjoy football.”
Both schools tried to host football games in Memphis on their own. But, the business model to merge sports and entertainment was more successful according to Jones.
“The game is the magnet, but the entertainment makes the entire event stand out,” said Jones.
On Sept. 9, the Classic Concert will feature Rhythm & Blues (R&B) legends Stephanie Mills and Jeffrey Osborne at the Orpheum at 8:00 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the events this year will be virtual.
The Classic College Fair will be held on Sept. 10 virtually at 9:00 a.m. and the annual parade will be virtual as well.
One of the major highlights of the Classic is the tailgating experience. It will start at 8:00 a.m. at the Liberty Bowl Stadium on Sept. 11. Due to COVID-19, there will be restrictions.
"We're looking forward to a fun and safe event and following the guidelines set by the Shelby County Health Department. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask when they aren't eating or drinking regardless of their vaccination status. This will help individuals protect themselves and the people around them," said Jones.
The game match-up this year will feature two former NFL players - Deion Sanders and Eddie George. Sanders is the head coach for JSU and George is the head coach for TSU. The game is set for Sat. Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Many things have changed since Jones began his journey as an entrepreneur.
When I planned the Classic in 1989, there were no social media platforms, internet or email. I only had one sponsor the first year, stated Jones.
Although a healthcare crisis has impacted the traditional celebratory events, alumni will still have a chance to reconnect and enjoy a series of events in-person and virtually.
To learn more about the Classic, visit the website @ https://southernheritageclassic.com/events/
Paula Anderson is a professional journalist.