Lincoln University, one of the founding schools of the CIAA and one of the oldest historically black colleges in the United States will play its first football game in nearly 50 years this August. It will then play its second game against Bowie State University in the fifth annual Prince George’s County Classic.
Why?
Perhaps it is a favor to get the word out that Lincoln University football is back, and if that’s the case, more power to them. But to sell this event as one that will gain significant interest from black college football fans in the region is ridiculous, and does an injustice to what could be a big time classic with the right marketing force.
In its five year history, the P.G. Classic has done well in scheduling decent teams with regional appeal. The Baltimore-Washington Metro areas have strong ties with past participants Alcorn State, Morgan State, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, Saint Paul’s, and of course, Howard University and Bowie State University.
But the classic hasn’t done well with its projected economic viability and impact. Held on the Washington Redskins’ FedEx Field for its first two installments, it has been played on the campus of Bowie State for the past two seasons, and Bowie State will host the event in 2008.
So if you are trying to enhance the profile and appeal of the classic to be mentioned among other popular black college football classics, why would you invite a program that hasn’t fielded a team in 48 years? Lincoln has a brand new coaching staff, limited resources, and a recruiting class comprised mostly of freshmen and junior college transfers.
And while their opponent will be one of the CIAA’s weaker programs in 2007, Bowie State will be at home and will be anxious not to lose to a school that hasn’t played football in 48 years.
It’s nothing personal against the Lincoln Lions at all. I’m sure we all welcome back such a valued member of black college football history and will embrace them with open arms. But the business of promoting such a new program doesn’t bode well for a classic that from all indications, isn’t drawing the kind of interest that it should from a region rich with black college football enthusiasts.
LJeff 10:09 am on July 17, 2008 Permalink
I agree with your analysis. I live in the DC Metro area and attended the second PG Classic between Morgan State and NC A&T. I’ll never forget the day as my family attended the game and it was raining that day. My younger family members were disappointed because they were looking forward to the halftime show between the schools which neither band performed (because of the rain) but the game was an overtime thriller. However, less than 2,000 people showed up for the game in what should have been a stadium full to capacity. My understanding is that the PG Classic is negotiating with Byrd Stadium on the Maryland campus to host future games. Although I’ve attended some Bowie State football games in the past, I don’t think they have a strong enough fan base to attract the type of teams and revenue to bring the PG Classic any type of consistent strong attendance and success. I think after Grambling opted out of the first classic and was replaced by Alcorn State it brought the demise of this Classic. Also, I don’t think the powers that be advertise this game the way it should. I had to find out about the game through websites like yours.
JC 11:23 am on July 17, 2008 Permalink
The county and the schools have to treat this like the other football classics that generate annual interest. Just touting it like another game without any historical or regional fan value makes it exactly what it is; a game for die-hard black college football fans with no outreach to casual observers.