Surpassing the $1.5MM awarded in scholarships during the 2018 Football Classic HBCU College Fair will be a key goal for this year
On Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Soldier Field, the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund, Inc. will host the 22nd Annual Chicago Football Classic between two iconic institutions of higher learning – Hampton University and Howard University.
Inaugurated in 1997, with the intent to generate resources to help fund HBCU scholarships for area students, this year the Chicago Football Classic will offer a host of signature activations and programs, under the banner of, ‘The Battle of the HUs…..its more than just a Game.’ “For over 20 years, we have been relentless in our efforts to ensure that African-American youth and their families experience one of the most lauded aspects of the HBCU experience, the Gridiron Rivalry– the football game rivalry and Battle of the Bands,” remarks Larry Huggins, co-founder of the Chicago Football Classic. “However, our primary commitment has been towards raising scholarship dollars, while increasing exposure to these institutions with exceptional track records of grooming our next generation of leaders.”
Jawuan Johnson, a graduate of Morehouse College Class of 2019, is a Chicago native and former recipient of the Chicago Football Classic scholarship. Emerging from a low-income, single parent household, Jawuan was determined to leverage education as a transformative tool for his life. “The scholarship support I was offered, by way of the Chicago Football Classic and college fair, afforded me an invaluable opportunity to attend Morehouse College, one of the most outstanding Historically Black Colleges and Universities, where I sharpened both my academic and civic pencils,” remarks Jawuan. “Undoubtedly, the Chicago Football Classic is more than a game, more than a battle of the bands, more than a college fair, it is a gateway to infinite possibilities. I am grateful to have been a scholarship recipient, and now a proud Morehouse Man graduate and ambassador of hope for the budding leaders of tomorrow.”
The annual college fair which occurs before the game at Soldier Field, is jointly produced by the City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Public Schools. Here are the highlights from last year’s college fair:
- Miles College, located in Fairfield, Alabama, admitted 106 students on site and awarded nearly $1.5MM in scholarships;
- Close to 4,000 students attended;
- More than 30 HBCUs from across the country along with the Chicago City Colleges and Chicago State University were present; and
- BMO Harris Bank’s Financial Literacy Summit and college advisors were on hand to guide students and families through the basics of saving for college.
- Miles College, located in Fairfield, Alabama which has an enrollment of 1700 students, with a 250-member band admitted 106 students on site at last year’s CFC HBCU College Fair.
“This year, not only will Howard and Hampton issue their challenges to outperform one another on the field, we will also issue a broad challenge to all community and education stakeholders to help us score big by increasing the number of scholarships offered and the number of students in the stands,” proclaims Tim Rand, co-founder of the Chicago Football Classic. “Without a doubt, we all must get into the game to help protect, encourage and invest in our youth.” Additional college fair sponsors include Comcast, Starbucks and Walgreens.
Both Howard and Hampton are revered as Black Ivy League institutions and tout robust alumni associations, therefore, it is the hope that the spirit of this classic rivalry will translate into record-breaking scholarships and game attendance.
For additional information on this year’s Classic, including sponsorship packages, tickets, college fair details and other signature activations, visit www.chicagofootballclassic.org or call (773) 874-8000 x4024. Follow on Facebook @ChicagoFootballClassic, Twitter @Chiftblclass and Instagram @Chifootballclassic.
