Time to Go Back to Work: Behind the Scenes of the Oldest HBCU Classic's Return

With a week of events leading up to the "Granddaddy of All HBCU Classics" on Saturday, Oct. 5, the Columbus committee is excited for the return of the classic to Columbus.

For 39 years, the classic was held and celebrated in Columbus. It wasn't until 2020 that it was moved to Birmingham, Ala., when Morehouse alum Mayor Randall L. Woodfin challenged Columbus for the classic.

"It was a shock to us," Tuskegee - Morehouse Classic Chair Lisa Goodwin said. "The fact that it (The Classic) was going to move. No one came to us to ask us about anything or (said) 'Hey, can you do something different or so?' None of that."

As the first female to serve as chairman of the classic, who is also a deputy city manager and Tuskegee alum, Goodwin explained how quick the turnaround was, once the news was delivered later last year that the Classic would be brought back to Columbus, after Birmingham didn't meet expectations.

"The process was very quick because we knew that we had to get things going quickly. And so we mobilized immediately, literally immediately," Goodwin said. "Pulling everybody together...and we've been meeting, since that time regularly, so that we can ensure that nothing was left to chance and that nothing fell short and through the cracks.

Goodwin explained that after the classic was moved, the office and activities were closed and disbanded because it was unclear if or when it would return to Columbus.

Keeping operations running was costly, but once they received word of its return, they embraced the opportunity and began reorganizing and rebuilding mostly from scratch.

"Of course I’m thrilled that the classic is back home in Columbus. I have fond memories of watching the game with my older brother in the band at Tuskegee, while having my other brother play football at Morehouse at the same time; and our family sitting under the clock in the old horseshoe configuration of Memorial Stadium," said Tim Turner, who graduated from Morehouse. "And I enjoyed being part of it while playing at Morehouse. It's a great event and a great selling point. Columbus has changed so much for the better and this game will help enhance the city's already excellent brand."

Jimmy Habersham, another Tuskegee alumnus and committee member, explained how for him, the classic's temporary nonexistence was a blessing in disguise before being brought back.

"It (time away from planning) allowed me to get myself together...I was happy that the classic was not in Columbus last year. Last year was a very interesting time for me. They found small traces of cancer in my prostate. And I went through one treatment of Lupron and 20 rounds of radiation," Habersham said.

With the sudden news of the classic's return, Habersham knew it also was time for him to make a comeback.

"When I first heard it (news of the return), my initial response was, 'Okay, well, vacation time is over, Habersham said. "Time to go back to work and dust off the old playbooks to see what plays we used to run."

Working alongside Columbus professional Gladys Williams-Tillmon, Habersham has put together a Gameday journal for the game on Saturday.

"We sell these journals to folks who attend the game and we have ads and information on both Morehouse College as well as Tuskegee University in the book," Habersham said. "She does a fabulous job. I mean an excellent job, and I'm happy to sit alongside her."

Both Habersham and Goodwin expressed how much the event would mean to not only them but the community.

"I'm looking forward to us providing a good, wholesome event... This is the first year back, so there's going to be a lot of hiccups," Habersam said. "There's going to be some things that we probably haven't thought about because we're coming back to it."

Habersham also explained how it was something he always looked forward to when he was younger as a college football fan, and hopes this generation will feel the same.

"I hope that we use this game as a tool for recruitment, and what I mean by recruitment is planting the seed in somebody, be it young or old. Black or white, those with money and those who have a little bit of money to want to further their studies at some institution," Habersham said.

Goodwin had a similar response, as she discussed the goal of raising money by selling tickets for the game is for a greater purpose as well.

"The reason we do this (host the game) is to provide scholarships for students at both of these schools, at Tuskegee and at Morehouse," Goodwin said. "We want to get kids to go to these universities and provide scholarships and then provide scholarships to those who are there to help them stay in school and graduate...  the big piece of doing all of this is people buying the ticket to the game. We, we just really want people to come out and buy a game ticket. That is what helps us to be able to use those funds to send to those universities."

The tickets are only five dollars cash and there will be no charge for k-12 grades.

Fans and citizens from around Georgia are set for a week of events leading up to the big game on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Friday, Oct. 4, will be the Franklin Douglas Charity Golf Tournament at 5 p.m.

That leaves Saturday for game day! The classic as a whole is a full-circle moment for both Habersham and Goodwin as they grew up with the events, and now have the opportunity to plan them and watch it flourish during its return.

"It's just an honor to be able to serve in this capacity, particularly, being an alumnus of Tuskegee and then this being my hometown, where as a young person, I attended these games in awe of all of the people," Goodwin said. "... I just love the fact that I am here now serving my university in this way. Right here at home, a place where I love."