Economic Impact, Popularity Down For Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic

The projected economic impact of the Tuskegee-Morehouse game for Columbus is a little less than $800,000.

Time was when Columbus cash registers rang up several thousand dollars more. But that was long before the recent three-year break, before COVID and before what I think was an erroneous decision to move the game from night to day.

Some of us still remember when game night was a virtual fashion show — mink coats and designer fashions filled the stands. Oh, no it didn’t have to be cold or even chilly for the minks to be brought out for the evening. And it wasn’t always women wearing those exotic skins.

But then the classic, known as the “Grandaddy” of all classics, took its show on the road to Birmingham, Ala., for the 2021-2023 games. The 2020 game was canceled because of COVID. The game has been played continuously since 1936, except for that year.

Lots of people now welcome “The” classic back home.

"There is no place like home. I had the great pleasure of playing in this classic four years," said Eric Turner. "Being a Columbus native to be able to come home and play in front of family friends and neighbors was great. My oldest brother Marcus Turner was in the band at Tuskegee and my youngest brother and I played at Morehouse and I was captain two years... How many football players get to come home to play in the oldest black football classic?"

He's not the only one touting the game's return.

“Sports is big business in Columbus,” said Peter Bowden, president and CEO of Visit Columbus. “This is a focal weekend for sports tourism, due to the value of sports in the South, plus all the things organizers have developed around the classic.”

Showcasing Columbus through sports is beneficial to the economy, said Merri Sherman, Director of The Sports Council. “They get to experience our restaurants, our Riverfront, beautiful hotels, beautiful amenities, all in the historic venue — the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium."

Bowden said the points Sherman highlighted sets Columbus apart. “The economic effect ripples through the community — not just for the fact there’s a ball game here.”

Turner recalls when the entire weekend was an economic success for the city.

"I remember the game being played and on Friday night the fair was in town and school was dismissed at noon to see the parade," Turner said. "People came to game dressed to impress. This was the history. It was a family affair. Please support this game so it never leaves again. Buy a ticket and watch a great game and halftime show."

The rivalry continues and the fans support scholarships for students.