AL reports that the highly anticipated Magic City Classic will not only showcase a rivalry between the stateโs two HBCUs but also have a massive impactย on the economy and culture.
The football game on Oct. 26, showcased in Birmingham, Alabama, allows Huntsvilleโs Alabama A&M and Montgomeryโs Alabama State University to go head-to-head on neutral territory and is known to draw crowds in the thousands. Those attendees always come ready to spend cash on various items, including school gear, food, and drinks. An economic report from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) revealed that in September 2024, Alabamaโs impact was strong, receiving a grade of B with โall 14 HBCUsโ putting together โ$1.4 billion โ billion with a B โ economic impact on an annual basis.โ
Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs for UNCF Lodriguez Murray spoke highly of the growth seen during the annual Magic City HBCU Breakfast. Sponsored by the historic philanthropic organization, Murray celebrated why events like the Classic are so instrumental. โItโs always great to gather for sporting events, but itโs even better when they have a meaning,โ he said.ย
โThe meeting of these two HBCUsโฆ gives all of us, the city of Birmingham, state of Alabama, and all of us nationally, an opportunity to take a deeper dive into why HBCUs are so important.โย
The UNCF executive highlighted that HBCUs nationwide are making record-breaking strides in enrollment and new opportunities for students. Because of that, he feels it is the right time for the government and other philanthropic entities to invest in HBCUs. โNationally, higher education enrollment is down, but not so at HBCUs. Our students are much more inclined to not only apply but to attend. And this is despite those national trends. And itโs also despite many setbacks that institutions like HBCUs undertake,โ Murray said.
โYou know, they have smaller endowments, smaller budgets, have infrastructure challenges, and yet students are choosing to go to those institutions. And itโs not second or third-rate students. These are some of the top students in anyoneโs region of the country that are choosing to go to HBCUs, oftentimes over Ivy League institutions.โ
In May 2024, the Biden-Harris administration announced federal HBCU investments and support reached more than $16 billion. Over $4 billion was secured to guarantee education benefits for veterans and students needing federal financial aid through Pell Grants and work-study programs. Attendees of Magic City will see just how much support the HBCUs have secured. Kickoff for the 83rd showdown between the Bulldogs and the Hornet starts at 2:30 p.m., according to WVTM 13. However, if the game isnโt enticing enough, fans can join several festivities, including a parade and the Coors Light Pregame Tailgate Party.
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