The Florida Classic is more than just a football game and more than an in-state rivalry. It is now the largest football game between two historically Black Colleges in America, surpassing the Bayou Classic between Grambling and Southern in New Orleans as the top attended game in NCAA Division I-AA as well as the nation’s largest football game between two Historically Black College/University (HBCU) schools. Since its inception in 1978, the game has now seen over 1.9 millionspectators attend the game (1,992,648).

A Sunshine State rivalry dating back nearly a century and an Orlando institution for 21 years and counting, the Florida Blue Florida Classic is more than just nation’s largest annual HBCU football game — it’s a celebration of sports, family, music and culture that is woven into the fabric of Central Florida.

The first matchup between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University took place in Tallahassee in 1925. Through 73 meetings thus far, the Rattlers hold a 50-22-1 series lead, thanks in large part to FAMU’s early success — including a run of 25 wins in 26 games between 1930 and 1972, the final game in that stretch serving as the final meeting at Welch Memorial Stadium in Daytona Beach.

By that time, the event had outgrown the teams’ respective home stadiums, and during the early- and mid-1970s, organizers held the game at multiple venues throughout the state, including Doak Campbell Stadium, Daytona International Speedway and Camping World Stadium — then known as the Florida Citrus Bowl, coming on the heels of a major expansion, in 1976 — in search of the right host.

Eventually, the schools agreed on a permanent location, and in 1978 the “Florida Classic” was officially born, with Florida A&M and head coach Rudy Hubbard (a former Woody Hayes assistant) helping his team turn a 17-0 halftime deficit into a 27-17 win in the premiere game, a victory that ultimately proved critical during the Rattlers’ run to the inaugural NCAA Division 1-AA title.

But it wasn’t until the game returned to Orlando for good in 1997 that the rivalry truly found its perfect fit — as evidenced by the 56,351 fans in attendance for Orlando’s first “Classic,” more than 25,000 more than the previous year in Tampa.

In the years since, the move up I-4 has proved to be a boon for both universities, as well as The City Beautiful, with more than 1.2 million game attendees passing through the turnstiles over the past two decades, an average of more than 60,000 fans per game. Since the rivalry put down roots in Orlando, B-CU holds an 11-10 advantage in the series, with each game seemingly more thrilling than the last.

In addition to the star power on the gridiron — with such names as Rashean Mathis, Nick Collins, Eric Weems and Quinn Gray dotting rosters since the move to Orlando — FAMU’s Marching 100 and B-CU’s Marching Wildcats always provide the perfect soundtrack for Classic weekend with their memorable halftime performances, while the pregame FanFare outside the stadium offers a tailgate experience unlike any other.

A cross between a family reunion, a can’t-miss music festival and an action-packed game, the Florida Blue Florida Classic has grown from a fierce small-school rivalry to a nationally-televised, must-see spectacle in Central Florida. And with a centrally-located, first-class venue playing the role of host to these historic institutions, the future of the Classic is ripe with promise.

Information is subject to change per the direction of Student Life and Activities.

Information is subject to change per the direction of Student Life and Activities.

Jazz on the Quad and Family Picnic w/Roscoe Jenkins Band.

Information is subject to change per the direction of Student Life and Activities.

Information is subject to change per the direction of Student Life and Activities.

Goombay: International Festival w/DJ Loose Kid.

Information is subject to change per the direction of Student Life and Activities.

All Black Affair w/Tank & Roddy Rich.

Information is subject to change per the direction of Student Life and Activities.

Comedy Show w/Benji Brown & Chico Bean, Hosted by Not Carlton Banks.

Information is subject to change per the direction of Student Life and Activities.

Saturday, October 19th, Homecoming Countdown w/Young Scholar

Information is subject to change per the direction of Student Life and Activities.

See locations and pick up times below:

Allen Chapel Church

580 George W. Engram Blvd.

African Methodist Episcopal

Pickup Time: 10:45 AM

Calvary Christian Church

1687 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach

Pentecostal

Pickup Time: 10:10 AM

Daytona Deliverance Church

901 George Engram Blvd.

Church of God

Pickup Time: 10:15 AM

Fellowship Of Praise Ministries

844 South Dr. Martin L. King Blvd.

Non Denominational

Pickup Time: 9:45 AM

Greater New Zion Church

201 S. Dr. Martin L. King Blvd.

Primitive Baptist

Walk Over Time: 10:45 AM

Hope Fellowship Church

869 Derbyshire Blvd

Full Gospel Baptist Church

Pickup Time: 10:00 AM

Master’s Domain Church

511 Fremont Av Ave

Church of God

Pickup Time: 9:00 AM

Mt. Carmel Baptist

703 George Engram Blvd.

Baptist Church

Walk Over Time: 9:30 AM

Mt. Zion Church

449 South M. L. King Blvd.

African Methodist Episcopal

Pickup Time: 9:30 AM

New Life Church Ministries

1625 Derbyshire Rd

Non-Denominational

PickupTime 10:30 AM

New Mount Zion Church

515 Dr. M. M. Bethune Blvd.

Baptist

Pickup Time 10:40 AM

Powerhouse

359 Jefferson St Daytona Beach FL

Church of God in Christ

Pickup Time: 11:00 AM

Stewart Memorial Church

317 N. M. L. King Blvd.

United Methodist Church

Walk Over Time 10:30 AM

St Timothy's Episcopal Church

381 N Lincoln St

Episcopal

Walk Over Time: 10:45 AM

Tubman King Community Church

1090 George Engram Blvd.

Non-Denominational

Pickup Time: 10:45 AM

Westside Church of Christ

960 Dr. M. M. Bethune Blvd.

Church of Christ

Pickup Time: 10:30 AM

When: Monday, July 15, 2019

Place: Michael & Libby Center for Civic Engagement President's Banquet Room, 740 International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm.

Cost: FREE (This event is provided without charge by Bethune-Cookman University and is funded through a grant from Florida Blue Healthcare)

Make an impact among your family and friends by sharing this event and gaining free and invaluable information regarding your health.

To register, email Rahmans@cookman.edu, or call 386-481-2385

Florida Blue Florida Classic
Saturday, Nov. 17
Kickoff 2:00 p.m. – Camping World Stadium – ESPN Classic

FanFare 10:00 a.m. – Free admission

Historic rivals Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University meet on the gridiron for the 39th annual Florida Blue Florida Classic.

Florida Blue Battle of the Bands
Friday, Nov. 16
7:00 p.m. – Amway Center, 400 W Church St, Orlando, FL, 32801

Get ready for crowd-pleasing dance teams, high-stepping drum majors, precision drumlines and roaring brass sections. Tickets start at $16.

B-CU Pride Club Tailgate Experience

Saturday, October 6
1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
$25.00 Call Institutional Advancement for ticket purchases, 386-481-2373/2928
Your ticket includes: Exclusive B-CU swag, food, beverages, music and more!
Your ticket purchase supports student scholarships! 

HOMECOMING TAILGATE/ FOOTBALL GAME

WILDCATS VS. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

The fighting Wildcats will take on the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. The official homecoming tailgate will begin at Noon until the start of the game.

Time: 4:00 P.M.

Location: Daytona Stadium

Admission: Tickets are available for $30 per ticket

Purchase your ticket: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005474A68D90BB

Parking is $20.00 (cash only)

Please adhere to the Daytona Stadium clear bag policy

Click here ->  http://daytonastadium.com/plan-your-visit/faq/ to see prohibited items.

HOMECOMING PARADE

Honorary parade grand marshals are Tom Joyner, syndicated radio personality and philanthropist and Nick Collins, a B-CU Alumnus and former NFL Green Bay Packer who scored a memorable touchdown in Super Bowl XLV. Wildcat fans will bombard the sidewalks of Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard as student organizations, auxiliary groups and friends parade through Wildcat country.

Time: 8 A.M.

Location:  Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard

To participate in the parade, please fill out the homecoming parade application and make your payment.

PEP RALLY

Time: 6 P.M.

Location: Ocean Center

Admission: FREE

PRESIDENT’S FISH FRY

Wildcats! Join Interim President Dr. Hubert L. Grimes and the Office of Alumni Affairs for food, music and fellowship during Bethune-Cookman University's 2018 President’s Fish Fry

Time: 3 P.M.

Location:  Historic Curtis Hall

Admission: FREE

Be sure to get your official homecoming photo taken in front of this historic residence hall.

Forty young alumni will be recognized for their service and work on behalf of their communities. Proceeds from the scholarship luncheon will benefit student scholarships

Time: 11:30 A.M.

Location: Daytona Beach Hard Rock

Admission: $60

for their service and work on behalf of their communities. 

*HOMECOMING STEP SHOW

Time: 7 P.M.

Location: Ocean Center

Admission: $15.00

Purchase your ticket:

ALUMNI REUNION RECEPTION

B-CU welcomes all classes to this year’s reunion to welcome Wildcats back to campus

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Location: Michael & Libby Johnson Center for Civic Engagement

Admission: FREE

Class of 1969

Class of 1978  

1978 40th Anniversary, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc  

Class of 1981

Class of 1983 please contact Michael Matlock at m_kwesi@yahoo.com

1988 Line, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.   

1989 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  

2008 Line, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  

Class of 2008 please contact Kim McDow at kimimcdow@yahoo.com

To participate in any reunion please contact beltzm@cookman.edu 

CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA

A multicultural extravaganza of food vendors, area merchants and artists

Time: 6 P.M.

Location: Campus Quad

Admission: FREE