Wednesday, February 16, 2000
Top black teams meet for Classic
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati will play host to two of the nation's best black-college football teams this fall.
North Carolina A&T State University and Tennessee State University will play in this year's River Front Classic and Jamboree Sept.9 at Cinergy Field.
North Carolina A&T is the defending black-college national champion. Tennessee State ended the 1999 regular season seeded No.1 in NCAA Division I-AA before being upset by A&T in the first round of the playoffs.
The Classic's purpose is to generate scholarship money for historically black colleges. Last year, it contributed $350,000.
“We choose to participate, because its mission represents the mission of Tennessee State University ... to graduate students,” TSU Athletic Director James Smith said.
The game highlights a four-day festival that includes a Battle of the Bands, the Midwest Physicians and Dentists Caucus, the Urban League's 1st Annual Education Summit and the Midwest Salon Owners and Hair Stylists Convention.
John Pace Jr., president of the River Front Classic Corp., said a study by Ohio State University found last year's event had a $12.3 million economic impact on Cincinnati. Organizers hope the additional events will bring in $16 million this year.
Hillshire Farms and Kahn's Company has pledged $15,000 to sponsor the Battle of the Bands, and the Classic is seeking help from 25 area churches to generate as much as $250,000.
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