The Crusader Newspaper Group

HBCU College Fair and Empowerment Summit – Sept. 22

Before the Miles College Golden Bears and Morehouse College’s Maroon Tigers take to the field for their momentous match-up on Saturday, September 22 at Soldier Field, area students will get a chance to accept a different kind of challenge. The Chicago Football Classic-HBCU College Fair opens from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Soldier Field in the United Club.

The HBCU College Fair event is co-produced by the City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Public Schools. There they will meet recruiters from HBCU’s across the country. Also, BMO Harris Bank will host an Empowerment Summit focused on money management. Bankers and financial literacy experts will be onsite to discuss how students can finance their education, financial pitfalls during college, and being prepared for their next step. Students from more than 30 schools are invited and it is open to the public.

These events provide students and their parents some practical, hands on tools for managing real world situations as they prepare to transition to college and adulthood. CFC founders Tim and Everett Rand and Larry Huggins offer that programs like these, under the auspices of the CFC, expose students to different aspects of the college experience focusing on uplifting themes that unite the community. “We want young people to understand their full potential, and that they have the ability to aspire to greatness,” said founder Everett Rand.

This 21st annual event is a celebration of the role that Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) play in the life of young people. Offering both the pomp and pageantry of the game and it’ legendary “Battle of the Bands”, it is also about preparing students for the future that a quality education will provide them.

Co-sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, Sherman Dodge, Comcast – NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago, the Chicago Football Classic’s mission touts the importance of getting a quality education. More than a football game, the weekend of events promotes the importance of higher education through partnerships with the City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools, and Chicago’s business and philanthropic community. Last year’s game hosted more than 40,000 paid attendees and more than 4,00 attended the HBCU College Fair and Empowerment Summit. The direct economic impact of the multiple events to the city of Chicago was approximately one million dollars.

This year, the CFC will raffle a new 2017 neon green Rocky Ridge Jeep Wrangler from Sherman Dodge to benefit the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund. The CFC Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students attending the participating HBCU schools. A limited amount of tickets will be on sale for $100 and the winning ticket will be drawn at the end of the game.

The CFC Weekend events include:

  • Thursday, Sept. 20 President’s Reception, honoring the two teams’ presidents: Dr. George T. French, Jr. (Miles College) and Dr. David A. Thomas (Morehouse College). Invitation-only event.
  • Friday, Sept. 21 Golf Outing and Coaches Luncheon at Harborside International Golf Center, 11001 South Doty Avenue East, Chicago, IL 60628

♦ 7:00 a.m. Registration

♦ 9:00 a.m. “Shot gun start”

♦ 2:30 p.m. Coaches Luncheon. Tickets $1,200 foursome and $1,600 for foursome and Hole Sponsor

Back to School Pep Rally featuring the drumlines from both schools at Daley Plaza, 50 West Washington St., Chicago, IL

♦ 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. – Rally begins

  • Saturday, Sept. 22 CFC-HBCU College Fair at Soldier Field in the United Club. The event will feature more than 30 schools and is open to the public. BMO Harris Bank presents the Empowerment Summit, focused on money management. This HBCU College Fair event is co-produced by the City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Public Schools.

♦  9 a.m. – 12 p.m.College Fair Begins

♦  11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Chicago Football Classic Tailgating Parties

♦  12 p.m.The High School Battle of the Bands –Sponsored by Aramark

♦  1:30 p.m. – The CFC Vendor Marketplace through the end of the game – Gate 0

♦  3:30 p.m.KICK-OFF of the Classic Football Game

♦  Half Time – Battle of the College Bands

Tickets are $18, $25, $35 and $45, discount tickets are available at Walgreens. Tickets may also be purchased at Midway Wholesalers, 41 W. 84th St.; (773-874-8000 x4025), Riteway-Huggins Construction, 1030 E. 87th St.; (773) 734-1600, Groupon and Ticketmaster.

Raffle tickets for the Rocky Ridge Jeep Wrangler are $100 and are available at Midway Wholesalers and Riteway Huggins Construction.  For additional ticket, event and vendor information, visit the CFC website at www.chicagofootballclassic.org.

This year’s Co-Presenting Sponsors are; BMO Harris Bank, Sherman Dodge, Comcast – NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago. Other sponsors include: Ariel Investments, Aramark, Avión, CHA, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Sun Times, the City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools, Christmas in the Wards, Citizen Newspapers, ComEd, Crawford Broadcasting, the Chicago and Gary Crusader Newspapers, CTA, Eastlake Management, Fifth Third Bank, Heneghan Wrecking Co., Hyatt ,the Hudson Group, Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois State Treasurer, Illinois Bicentennial, iHeartRadio, Illinois Restaurant Association, INTREN, JB for Governor, Linn-Mathes, Local 134 IBEW, Loop Capital, Madison Construction, Midway Wholesalers, Manny’s, MAC ONE Midway, McHugh Construction, Mesirow Financial, Moet Hennessy, Ombudsman Education Service, Peoples Gas, Providence Bank, Riteway-Huggins Construction, SCR Transportation, Self-Help Bank, Southwest Airlines, SSP- America, Starbucks Foundation, TrueStar, Uber, Vantage, Walgreens, Western Utility, Wintrust and WVON-AM.

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