Turkey Day Classic
| Turkey Day Classic | |
|---|---|
| Turkey Day Classic | |
| "Hornet Homecoming" | |
| Stadium | Hornet Stadium |
| Location | Montgomery, Alabama |
| Operated | 1924 - present |
| 2011 matchup | |
| Tuskegee University vs. Alabama State University (21–30) | |
| 2012 matchup | |
| Tuskegee University vs. Alabama State University (November 22, 2012) | |
The Turkey Day Classic is a college football game, traditionally held annually on Thanksgiving Day.[1] It is played between Alabama State University and Tuskegee University, two historically black colleges and universities.[2] The game is played at the home of Alabama State. Until 2012 it was played in the Cramton Bowl, but in 2012 it moved to Alabama State's new venue, Hornet Stadium. [3] in Montgomery, Alabama.[4]ESPNU holds broadcast rights to the game. The game is one of two black college football classics to be associated with Thanksgiving weekend; the other is the younger, but more widely known, Bayou Classic, held two days later.
The game falls in a category of classics that feature two rival teams playing each year.[5] The activities surrounding the game take place over several weeks in the downtown of Montgomery, and include parades, parties, and such like.[6] Many classics feature activities and events like golfing, pageants, and tailgaiting.[5] Alabama State hosts a parade and combines its homecoming with the Turkey Day Classic.[7]
History
The first Turkey Day Classic, played in 1924, was the first classic ever played.[8] Tuskegee gives up the playoffs, losing its bid for the NCAA Division II National Football Championship, each year because the Division II playoffs conflict with the Turkey Day Classic.[9] Alabama State remains eligible for the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship, since the conference does not participate in the NCAA Division I Football Championship both to accommodate them and the two teams in the Bayou Classic.
Alabama State and Tuskegee first played each other in 1901, making this game the oldest black college football classic.
See also
References
- ^ Timmermann, Tom (2009-09-26), "Tuskegee Opens Long Road Trip at Gateway Classic", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/othersports/story/44C44B12B775CD7F8625763D00015BED?OpenDocument, retrieved 2009-10-22
- ^ Cunningham, Jonathon (2006-11-16), "Big Classic: Orlando's About to Go off the Chain", Orlando Weekly, http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=11131, retrieved 2009-10-22
- ^ "There's Plenty in the Area to See and Do", Montgomery Advertiser, 2009-10-22, http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/99999999/NEWS/705120405/-1/newcomers, retrieved 2009-10-22
- ^ Willingham, Leo (2008-11-18), "Tuskegee Still No. 1, Big Classic Weekend", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com/services/content/shared-blogs/ajc/HBCU/entries/2008/11/18/tuskegee_still_no_1_big_classi.html, retrieved 2009-10-22
- ^ a b Moore, Eric, Black College Football Classic Games, http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/hbcu/classic_games.html, retrieved 2009-11-24
- ^ Nettles, Adrienne (2009-11-23), "Turkey Day Classic Festivities March into Downtown", Montgomery Advertiser, http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20091123/NEWS01/911230308/Turkey-Day-Classic-festivities-march-into-downtown, retrieved 2009-11-24
- ^ Watkins, Gabrielle; Moore, Leslie; Stewart, Ashley (2009-11-22), "Thanksgiving Holiday Traditions", The Famuan, http://www.thefamuanonline.com/lifestyles/thanksgiving-holiday-traditions-1.2095099, retrieved 2009-11-24
- ^ Barnidge, Noell (2006-10-11), "Classics an Integral Part of Black College Football", Savannah Morning News, http://new.savannahnow.com/node/154670, retrieved 2009-10-22
- ^ Perrin, Mike (2008-11-01), "Pioneer Bowl Suspended for 2008; Nowhere for Tuskegee to Go", The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1225527317124640.xml&coll=2, retrieved 2009-10-22
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