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Richard Allen Football Classic 2002 Set for Atlanta
Morris Brown College Will Battle Bethune Cookman College , September 14, 2002
July 1, 2002
(Atlanta, Ga.) – The Richard Allen Football Classic 2002 will be held at Herndon Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, September 14, 2002 at 7:00 p.m , it was announced today. The Classic, named in honor of Richard Allen, founder and first Bishop of the African Methodist Church (AME) will feature two of the nation’s premier black college football powers – Morris Brown College of Atlanta and Bethune Cookman College of Daytona Beach.
In addition to the football action, the Richard Allen Classic will include the “ Battle of the Bands”, also known as the “5th Quarter”, where both colleges’ extraordinary 300-member marching and “fast stepping” bands will illustrate the great pageantry associated with the Classic. Morris Brown boasts a renowned dance and majorette corps, the “Bubbling Brown Sugar” who will perform their magic. Local Atlanta high school marching bands will also be featured during the pre-game parade.
“With Atlanta’s affluent African American population, as well as encouraging business climate and informed government support, the Richard Allen Football Classic 2002 is honored to be held in this fine city, the media and sports capital of the world. Atlanta has a unique history of rich culture, a strong academic community and wonderful hospitality,” said Virgil H. Hodges, president of the Richard Allen Classic Corporation. “We hope to make Atlanta the home of the Richard Allen Football Classic for years to come.”
Atlanta’s Mayor Shirley Franklin, the first African American woman to be elected Mayor of a major U.S. city, and Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings of the Sixth District of the AME Church, which encompasses more than 600 churches in Georgia are honorary Co-Chairs of the Classic. Joining Mayor Franklin are Steering Committee members Jesse Hill, respected national, business and civic leader; Ambassador and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young; Dr. Johnetta B. Cole and numerous other notables of Atlanta’s leadership.
In making the announcement, Mayor Franklin said, “We’re proud to serve as the host city for this event and encourage all the participants to take full advantage of the many amenities and activities we have to offer. She also thanked Bishop Cummings, for the integral role the AME church plays in the Atlanta community.”
The African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1784 and is one of the largest African American organizations in the world, with more than two million members. The AME Church nationwide has embraced the Classic and it is expected that thousands of church members, and the colleges alumni, from across the country will converge in Atlanta for the weekend’s events. Sororities and fraternities are planning “Step Show” parties and numerous receptions and activities during the Classic weekend.
Sponsors of the Richard Allen Classic 2002 include: Delta Airlines, the official airline carrier of the Richard Allen Classic; Instructional Systems Inc., Corporate Award breakfast sponsor and Scanlan Communications Group, the public relations firm of the Richard Allen Classic.
All proceeds of the Richard Allen Football Classic 2002 go to scholarships and support of Morris Brown College
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