AUC rivalry takes center stage in inaugural Labor Day Classic

One of the longest-running and most historic rivalries in HBCU football is headed to an even bigger stage on Sept. 5, as Morehouse College will face off against Clark Atlanta University in the inaugural Labor Day Classic, honoring both schools’ legacies and birthing new traditions.

For decades, the matchup between Morehouse and Clark Atlanta, affectionately known as the Big Cat Classic, served as the regular-season finale for both teams, capping a rivalry that dates back to 1900.

Morehouse players watch from the sideline as Clark Atlanta Panthers wide receiver Felix Jones (1) runs the ball during a college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Atlanta. (Branden Camp/Special)

The historic showdown now takes on a new meaning as organizers move the game from the end of the season to Labor Day Weekend, hoping to make it the centerpiece of an annual football and cultural celebration that elevates the athletic profiles of both schools.

“The game is well attended now, but the thing is it’s the last game of the season, so interest can wane by that time,” said Jerry Freeman, co-founder of 91 Sixty-Seven Sports & Entertainment Agency and one of the event’s organizers.

By moving the game toward the beginning of the season, Freeman believes the “opening season energy” will set the tone for the remainder of the year by keeping fans engaged.

“It will build anticipation, [fans] will get that energy for those first games, and by moving it to Labor Day weekend, which is a huge weekend in Atlanta with a lot of activity and a lot of people in town, it just becomes something special,” Freeman said.

Morehouse College football players and cheerleaders join hands and sing the Morehouse school song after defeating Clark Atlanta University 24-20 in 2009. (Photographer: Johnny Crawford)

Fans will be able to participate in a festival-style tailgate during Saturday’s football game, featuring a dedicated student zone, headquarters tents for Panther Nation and Maroon Tiger Nation and a “Bring Your Own” tailgate area where fans can set up their own chairs, tents and tailgate spaces. Food trucks, DJ’s and interactive games will be found throughout the street.

There will also be an 8,000-square-foot VIP lounge that will sit at the top of the hill at the BT Harvey Stadium with all-inclusive food and beverage and lounge seating.

The Labor Day Classic is the culmination of a longstanding vision shared by Freeman and his Morehouse classmate and fellow co-founder DeVonn Baker.

Labor Day Classic Co-founders Wilton DeVonn Baker (left) and Jerry Freeman (right). (Courtesy)

After conversations with Morehouse Athletic Director Harold Ellis and Clark Atlanta Athletic Director Dr. Jerel Drew, the pair identified an opportunity to enhance the event’s fan engagement and overall experience. The concept was presented to SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman, who Freeman said was “totally on board.”

“We look forward to this matchup each year and are especially excited that this season’s game will take place over Labor Day weekend,” Drew said. “While some may describe the event as a classic, Clark Atlanta University is treating it as a regular-season conference game. We anticipate another spirited contest that brings together our students, alumni and the broader Atlanta community.”

HBCUs have sometimes struggled for recognition because of limited resources. Organizers and coaches hope events like the Labor Day Classic will demonstrate the talent HBCU players and coaches possess and more importantly, the education and experience HBCUs provide.

“There’s been a lot of great athletes that come out of HBCUs, and there’s been a lot of really good coaches that have gone on to do some really big things,” said Morehouse head football coach Brad Sherrod. “If you go to any HBCU institution and talk to any of their athletes, they’re well-rounded. They’re about their education, careers and going to graduate schools and I think that’s what we should really focus on.”

Members of the Clark Atlanta Marching Band march in front of the Morehouse section during homecoming activities. (Photographer: Johnny Crawford)

Beyond football, organizers want the Labor Day Classic to highlight the deeper love that is shared between alumni and students for the Atlanta University Center.

“It’s really a celebration of Black culture, Black excellence, and to me, I look at it as a celebration of love,” Baker said.

Baker, class of ’91, fondly remembers his college days hanging out in the AUC with his fraternity brothers and friends from Spelman, Morris Brown and Clark Atlanta. For him, the classic is about celebrating the long history of Black achievement in the AUC.

“The pride of seeing Black excellence on display, the camaraderie, the togetherness that you see within our community are the type of things I want to see taken away by the young and the old,” Baker said.

Organizers hope to create more opportunities for Black businesses and organizations through the Classic’s platform. While no specific partners have been confirmed, organizers hope to partner with healthcare providers, retail brands, and corporate sponsors from local Black establishments, alongside Morehouse and Clark Atlanta, according to Freeman.

The Labor Day Classic is intended to become a lasting tradition that honors both the impact of the AUC and its alumni, who have played a significant role in shaping Atlanta’s cultural, economic and social landscape.

“The AUC has had a strong and positive impact in the growth of the city of Atlanta and that’s because of the alumni that have come out of these schools,” Baker said. “When you think about that, coupled with the economic growth that was additionally fueled by AUC alumni and all those stakeholders there, it’s really impacted not only the city of Atlanta, but the world at large.”