2009 Circle City Classic: A sporting tradition since 1984
Published: Aug 31, 2009
The 26th annual Circle City Classic weekend is a celebration of cultural excellence and educational achievement while showcasing the spirit, energy and tradition of America's historically black colleges and universities. Celebrated this year on Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 1-3, the weekend culminates in the playing of the Circle City Classic football game Saturday, when Tuskegee University takes on Alabama A&M University, a game sponsored this year by American Family Insurance.
Associated events include a Friday golf outing and concert that night featuring Babyface, Jeffrey Osborne and the S.O.S. Band, and the Circle City Classic Parade on early Saturday.
The Classic draws an average of 175,000 people from across the country annually to be a part of an exhilarating weekend that includes a magnificent parade, pep rally, musical performances, well-known celebrities, a battle of the bands and two historically black college football teams colliding head-to-head in Lucas Oil Stadium.
One of the largest and most popular African-American sporting events in the nation, "Classic," as it is commonly referred to, presents several activities surrounding the game, which celebrate history, education, spirited competition and community.
The classic's mission is to support educational achievement, promote cultural excellence, while showcasing the spirit, energy and tradition of America's historically black colleges and universities.
The Circle City Classic is a joint partnership between Indiana Black Expo. Inc. and the Indiana Sports Corporation. The net earnings from the Classic help fund scholarships and support youth enterprises for each organization. Since 1984, more than $1 million have been awarded to deserving Indiana natives who pursue higher education.
Along with the sporting event, the Classic Parade is a family-oriented event with a focus on education which highlights honor students from central Indiana high schools. The parade route this year will lead from Vermont Street south on Pennsylvania Street, west on Ohio Street, north on Meridian Street and ending at New York Street.
Additional event and ticket details can be found at the Circle City Classic web site.
- by Jim Brown , Indianapolis Reporter for HelloMetro
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