BCSP Notes . . .
Attendance Matters
The Magic City Classic, the matchup of Alabama's two HBCU state schools, surpassed both the Florida and Bayou Classsics in attendance this year for the first time. And it set an all-time record.
The Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State
tussle played at Birmingham's historic Legion Field, drew 68,593
fans this season to top the annual list compiled by the BCSP. The attendance number
was the most ever in the 66 year history of the classic. The
Magic City finished second last year to the
Florida Classic, who had led the list for the previous six seasons.
The Florida Classic which matches in-state rivals Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M at Orlando's Citrus Bowl, drew 65,367 this season to finish second. In addition to ending its six-year run atop our list, the 2007 number was the first time the attendance has dipped below 70,000 in eight years.
The Bayou Classic, which dipped to seventh last year with 47,136 fans, made somewhat of a comeback, getting to fifth this season with 53,297 in attendance. Louisiana SWAC rivals Southern and Grambling State stage their season-ending battle on Thanksgiving weekend each year in the classic at the New Orleans Super Dome.
The Atlanta Classic which matches Tennessee State and Florida A&M at Atlanta's Georgia Dome, held on to third place with 56,990. The State Fair Classic (Grambling vs. Prairie View) at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas drew 55,878 to hold down fourth place. It was sixth a year ago.
Tuskegee again had the most well-attended homecoming game as 31,563 packed into the Golden Tigers' Abbott Stadium. Tennessee State (24,878) and Southern (24,600) finished behind Tuskegee.
Going Bowling
Talented Tennessee State defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has been invited to play in the Jan. 19 East West Shrine Bowl in Houston and the Jan. 26 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Clark Atlanta defensive end/linebacker Curtis Johnson and Hampton defensive lineman Kendall Langford will join Rodgers-Cromartie on the East squad in the East West game.
Wells to take over at Savannah State
Savannah State has named Robert "Robby"
Wells as its new head football coach. Wells becomes the 21st football coach in SSU history.
Wells last held the position of defensive coordinator and football marketing director for one season at Benedict. Prior to that, Wells served as the general manager for the Augusta Spartans Arena Football Team in 2006. He got his first coaching job at an HBCU in 2002 as the defensive coordinator at South Carolina State.
Before joining South Carolina State, he spent four seasons at the University of South Carolina as a graduate assistant under Lou Holtz. Wells coached the defensive backs from 1998-1999 before moving to middle linebackers coach in 2000.
As a player, Wells was a four-year letterman at Furman University as a fullback and wide receiver (1986-89). He was a member of the 1988 Furman NCAA Division I-AA National Championship team.
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