Stillman
set to host Tuscaloosa's first Black College football classic
game
October 16, 2002
Tuscaloosa--- Stillman College along with the Tuscaloosa Visitors
and Convention Bureau will host the Inaugural Druid City Classic
football game.
 The
Druid City Classic will match the Stillman Tigers with the Texas
Southern University Tigers for an October 19, 2002 battle at
Stillman Stadium. Proceeds from the game will support Stillman's
general scholarship fund.
The name Druid City Classic was developed to honor the city
in which the game will take place. Tuscaloosa has been called
"The Druid City" or the "City of Oaks."
From its earliest days, Tuscaloosa was noted for its tree-lined
avenues.
In ancient times the Druids were a class of Celts who held
the oak tree in great reverence and conducted their rituals
in oak forests. As Tuscaloosa grew, more and more oak trees
were planted to add to the original forest trees, and for this
reason, the city became known as "Druid City."
The Classic game should hold a special place in many West Tuscaloosa
residents' hearts because it is also named for the old Druid
High School, now Central High School West. Also attached to
the "Druid City" tradition are the old Riverside and
Bolter high schools.
"This is a promotional opportunity for Stillman College
and the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau attract visitors
to the city who will bring an added economic impact to the present
sports activities in Tuscaloosa," said Richard Cosby, Stillman's
Athletic Director. "We invite our students, faculty, alumni
and friends to this historic event."
"The Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau is excited
about the opportunity to work with Stillman College and assist
with the athletic program as we bring the Druid City Classic
to Tuscaloosa," said Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors
Bureau Director Robert Ratliff. "We are seeing the creation
of a new event in our city and one that we hope to see become
an annual event."
The October 19 battle will be the first meeting between Stillman
and Texas Southern. Currently, the Division III Stillman Tigers
have a 5-2 record with wins coming over Allen University (49-7),
Livingstone College (32-6), Lane College (34-20, Newberry College
(30-7), and Lincoln University (58-14). Stillman's two losses
came at the hands of the University of West Alabama (33-45)
and Miles College (20-35).
The Division I-AA Tigers from Texas are 2-5 and half way through
a tough Southwestern Athletic Conference. Texas Southern gained
victories over Prairie View A & M (44-14) and the University
of Arkansas Pine Bluff (42-20). Tiger losses have come from
Howard University (31-34), Alabama State Univ. (32-43), Southwest
Texas University (10-17) and Alabama A & M Univ. (14-21).
As with most classic football games, the halftime show promises
to be as entertaining as the game. The Stillman Blue Pride Marching
Band, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Lyle, will strut their
stuff against the TSU Ocean of Soul in a battle of the bands.
Kick off for the game is scheduled for 3 pm. General admission
tickets prices are $10/adults and $5/children 12 years and under.
Tickets can be purchased between 9 am and 5 pm at the Stillman
College Business Office Cashier's Window in the Birthright Administration
Building. Game day tickets can be purchased at the Stillman
Stadium ticket window at 1 pm. For more ticket information please
contact 205-366-8989.
For more information about the Druid City Classic please contact
Wesley Peterson (Sports Information) at 205-247-8101.
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