WASHINGTON, D.C. – Classic Rivalry. Classic Tradition. Classic Fun! Events for the 3rd annual AT&T Nation’s Football Classic® begin this Thursday, starting with the Presidential Symposium: “The Essence of the HBCU Experience” at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium, and continue through Sunday. The full weekend of events showcases the heritage and tradition that are synonymous with the black college experience, which has been the focus of the Classic since its inception in 2011. Click HERE for 2013 schedule of events.
The highlight of the weekend is the 36th meeting on the football field between the Howard University Bison and Morehouse College Maroon Tigers on Saturday, September 7 at RFK Stadium (3:30 p.m.). Only four points have separated the two teams during the first two Classics, with Howard edging the Maroon Tigers in 2011 (30-27) and 2012 (30-29). Tickets for the game are on sale now via Ticketmaster, and the RFK Stadium Box Office starting Thursday.
For a look at what’s to come in 2013, click HERE to view photos from the first two AT&T Nation’s Football Classic® weekends.
Thursday, September 5
Doors open 9:00 a.m. Presidential Symposium: “The Essence of the HBCU Experience”
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Howard University Cramton Auditorium
Through panel discussions, this symposium explores topics of importance that highlight the diverse contributions of HBCUs to the development of our nation and the global community.
Suggested media coverage times:
Welcome and Overview; HBCU Presidential Forum; Keepers of the Culture
9:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.: Welcome and Overview
9:40 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Session 1 – HBCU Presidential Forum
Mr. David Johns, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (moderator)
Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau, President, Howard University
Mr. Michael Sorrell, Esq., President, Paul Quinn College
Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, President, Tennessee State University
11:10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Session 2 – The Next Step in “The Long Walk: A Candle in the Dark”
Dr. Bryant T. Marks, Associate Professor of Psychology, Morehouse College
Dr. Dana Williams, Chair, Department of English, Howard University
Dr. Greg Carr, Chair, Department of Afro-American Studies, Howard University
2:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Session 3 – Why I Chose to Attend an HBCU
Mr. A.J. Simonton, Student Govt President, Morehouse College
Ms. Dominique Perkins, Student Govt Vice President, Howard University
Ms. Shanteal Lavern Lake, Senior, Spelman College
3:40 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Session 4 – Keepers of the Culture
Mr. Jeff Burns Jr., Author of “The Brotherhood of Drew Hall”
Ms. Franchell “Frenchie” Davis, Grammy Nominated artist, Appeared on American Idol and The Voice
Mr. Ralph Remingon, Director of Theatre and Musical Theatre, National Endowment for the Arts
Mr. Chris Washington, National President, Howard University Alumni Association
Friday, September 6
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. “The Game Before The Game”: Mordecai Wyatt Johnson –
Benjamin E. Mays Student Debate
Howard University Cramton Auditorium
Witness the academic rivalry between Howard and Morehouse as they showcase each school’s tradition of developing great orators.
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. AT&T Kickoff Rally (show begins at 7:00 p.m.)
9:30 Club
Join the fun at the official Kickoff Rally in the heart of the Nation’s Capital. The Rally will feature representatives from both schools, city officials and performances.
Co-Hosts – Wendy Raquel Robinson and Fonzworth Bentley; Performance – TBD; Appearances – Morehouse and Howard cheerleaders and drumlines
9:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. “Friday Night Lights” – Official Classic Party (ticketed event)
The Howard Theatre
Late Night Host – Lance Gross; Deejay – DJ Money, WKYS
Performance – Elle Varner
Saturday, September 7
9:00 a.m. – End of halftime RFK Stadium Box Office Open
RFK Stadium – Main Gate
9:00 a.m. Stadium Parking Lots Open
RFK Stadium
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Pepsi® Fan Festival
RFK Stadium Festival Grounds – Lot 5
Fan Festival featuring games, music and exhibit booths.
Performances on the AT&T Soundstage: Raheem DeVaughn,
Experience Unlimited (E.U.) and Mambo Sauce
2:30 p.m. Stadium Gates Open
RFK Stadium
3:30 p.m. AT&T Nation’s Football Classic® – Howard vs. Morehouse (ticketed)
RFK Stadium
Howard University Bison vs. Morehouse College Maroon Tigers
Sunday, September 8
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Chapel Service
Howard University Rankin Chapel at Cramton Auditorium
Speaker – Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago Illinois/Member, Board of Trustees, Morehouse College
Addresses:
9:30 Club. 815 V Street, NW. Washington, DC 20001
Howard University Greene Stadium. 2400 Sixth Street, NW. Washington, DC 20059
Eastern Senior High School. 1700 East Capitol Street, NE. Washington, DC 20003
JW Marriott. 1331 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. Washington, DC 20004
Howard University Cramton Auditorium. 2455 Sixth Street, NW. Washington, DC 20059
The Howard Theatre. 620 T St NW. Washington, DC 20001
RFK Stadium. 2400 East Capitol Street, SE. Washington, DC 20003
ATTNFC website:www.NationsFootballClassic.com
ATTNFC Twitter: @nationsclassic
ATTNFC Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NationsFootballClassic
Howard University website: www.howard.edu
Morehouse College website: www.morehouse.edu