What’s in a name? Everything. For 18 years, the Chicago Football Classic has taken place in the fall, bringing the pageantry and majesty of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to Chicago. The purpose, to expose students from Chicago to the unique academic and athletic offerings that HBCUs have and inspire these students to make their college dreams a reality.
To keep the dream alive for the youth of Chicago, the Chicago Football Classic has shifted. “We thought about it, and it makes sense to do it now. In celebration of our twentieth, we will have a full year of fundraising for the children of Chicago,” said Everett Rand, cofounder of the Chicago Football Classic. What is this change, this evolution? “The Chicago Football Classic is now the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund, Inc. This is more than a name change. We are now a traditional 501(c) 3 non-profit entity. We have changed the game!”
Co-Founder Tim Rand added, “This new status means the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund, Inc. has been reorganized as a nonprofit organization and is tax-exempt by virtue of its scholarship programs and initiatives. Now, every sponsorship, donation, even ticket purchases are tax-deductable for our corporations, community partners and friends. With this new status, we will be able to increase contributions to the scholarship fund, which is for the students. That is what the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund, Inc. is all about.”
The 19th Annual Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund, Inc. game will feature the Clark Atlanta University Panthers from Atlanta, GA battling the Central State University Marauders from Wilberforce, OH on Saturday, September 10 at 3:30 PM at historic Soldier Field.
This year, two great academic institutions are competing for athletic and Battle of the Band bragging rights. “Will Southern hospitality or Midwest work-ethic prevail? We shall see on Saturday, September 10th. I don’t know about you, but I am READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!,” said Larry Huggins, co-founder of the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund, Inc. “At the end of the day, with these great schools coming to Chicago to play the game and with the continued committed support of our sponsors and partners, it is the Children of Chicago who will be the ultimate Winners and Champions.”
“The biggest prohibitive factor in children going to college and families getting them on their way is cost; and everything we can do to help families afford a college education for their children so they become outstanding members of our society is a win for all of us,” says Tim Rand.
“Nothing is more important to us, as well as society as a whole, who stand on the shoulders of our forebears, than helping ensure the educational achievement of today’s and future generations. It’s that simple, and that’s why we salute our sponsors for their vision and dedication to the CFC,” says Everett Rand.
Tickets are available for purchase, in-person at Midway Wholesalers (41 W. 84th Street), Riteway Construction Services Inc., (1030 E. 87th St.), at your local Walgreens and online at Ticketmaster.com. Also, tickets can be purchased by calling 773-734-1600 or 773-874-8000, x.4024. Panthers and Marauders, BE THERE!
