Oldest HBCU football classic in the US moves to new Alabama location

Montgomery is hosting one of the oldest HBCU football rivalries in the country in October.The 86th Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic will be held at the Cramton Bowl, which seats 21,000, in Alabama’s capital city. “We are proud to partner with my Morehouse brother, Mayor Steven Reed, to uphold the legacy of this historic rivalry,” Morehouse athletics director Harold Ellis said in a news release April 18.

Tuskegee’s Golden Tigers and Morehouse’s Maroon Tigers began playing in Columbus, Georgia, in 1936. The game was played there for most of its history, except for a three-year run in Birmingham 2020-23. Reed said the “iconic rivalry” showcases HBCU athletic excellence and the contributions of Morehouse and Tuskegee.

“Our city, a cornerstone of the civil rights movement, is the perfect backdrop for this cherished tradition,” Reed said. Ellis told the Columbus Ledger-Inquirer the move from Columbus to Montgomery is due to “financial reasons.” Ellis said he expects a good turnout at the new location.“I have no doubt they will show up and show out for this Classic!” Ellis said. “Beyond the excitement on the field, this is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes, band members, and students to experience the rich civil rights history embedded in the city. Morehouse’s legacy runs deep in Alabama.”