Turkey Day Classic

The Turkey Day Classic is a college football game, traditionally held annually on Thanksgiving Day.^[1] Originally, it was played between Alabama State University and Tuskegee University, two historically black universities.^[2] The game was originally played in Montgomery, Alabama's Cramton Bowl, but relocated to Alabama State's new Hornet Stadium in 2012.^[3][4] ESPNU holds broadcast rights to the game. The game is one of two black college football classics to be associated with Thanksgiving weekend; the other is the younger, but more widely known, Bayou Classic, held two days later.

The game fell into a category of classics that feature two rival teams playing each year.^[5] The activities surrounding the game take place over several weeks in the downtown of Montgomery, and include parades, parties, and such like.^[6] Many classics feature activities and events like golfing, pageants, and tailgaiting.^[5] Alabama State hosts a parade and combines its homecoming with the Turkey Day Classic.^[7]

History

The 1924 game was the first in the series and it is considered the first black college football classic.^[8] Tuskegee refused tournament slots for the NCAA Division II National Football Championship because the Division II playoffs conflict with the Turkey Day Classic (instead opting to play in the Pioneer Bowl, one of the few non-playoff bowl games in Division II); the Golden Tigers program has done this even in successful seasons where it has qualified and earned high playoff seeding. ^[9] Similarly, Alabama State and other Southwestern Athletic Conference members opt out of contention for the NCAA Division I Football Championship; this accommodates the Turkey Day Classic, the SWAC Championship Game and the Bayou Classic in New Orleans. SWAC members instead contend for the Celebration Bowl.

Beginning in 2013, Tuskegee withdrew from the contest due to playoff considerations beginning that year. Tuskegee's opting into the playoffs forced the cancellation of the Pioneer Bowl, but the Turkey Day Classic continued, with Stillman College serving as the opponent.

In 2014, Alabama State announced it was officially discontinuing the Turkey Day Classic in order to give itself the option of participating in the Division I championship, should it qualify. For two years, the college held its homecoming on the penultimate Saturday of November; that is, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Stillman College remained the Hornets' opponent for 2014.^[10]

In August 2015, it was announced that the Alabama State-Tuskegee rivalry will resume in 2017, with these games being held in early September. For the 2015 season, Miles College participated in the November Hornet Homecoming.^[11]

In March 2016, it was announced that the Turkey Day Classic would return to its traditional date of Thanksgiving Day, with Miles College returning as Alabama State's opponent.^[12]

Game results

See also

• List of black college football classics
• American football on Thanksgiving

References