Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 11-18-16 Online Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016
B
Rivalry Between FAMU-B-CU Remains Strong
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The rivalry between Bethune-Cook- man and Florida A&M University has been going on since 1925. The first se- ries of the Florida Classic, however, was held in Tampa in 1978. FAMU came from behind to win the game 27-17.
The game has been continuous with the exception of 1983 and 1984 when the 2 schools could not agree on a play- ing site. The largest crowd to attend a game was in 2003, when more than 73,000 attended.
Those who are regular attendants of the game say the rivalry is still as strong as it has been since the beginning.
but also take ad- vantage of the many information workshops, job fairs, law school information and try to get some scholarships.”
He especially
talked about the
scholarships
being given in
Agriculture. “There are only 2 agricul- ture schools in Florida – University of Florida and FAMU. I wish our kids would take advantage of those scholar- ships.”
Robert “Pete” Edwards FAMU
“Both
are doing badly
this year, so this
game carries extra
significance, more
so than bragging
rights, to end the
season feeling
good. FAMU
warmed up for
battle last Satur-
day with a fight
against Morgan State near the end of the game. Our quarterback is playing like a brother, so we are ready.”
Ted Taylor FAMU 1975
“The Florida Classic is more than just a football game and more than an in-state rilvary. It is the largest football game in history of HBCU games. As an alumni of BCC/BCU ‘76’, we just cele- brated our 40th class reunion during homecoming in Daytona. BCC/BCU finally beat FAMU in 1979 and Presi- dent Moore told us to take an early Thanksgiving break! It was like the Super Bowl win since we were defeated mostly every year.
“Tides have changed for the Wildcats we have defanged the Rattlers for the past FIVE YEARS and going for six this weekend! I have many family mem- bers and friends that are FAMU alumni. My daughter, Brittany Saf- fold will be graduating Dec. 9th with honors in Psychology from FAMU. Her grandparents Robert and Bernice Saffold graduated way back in 1956 from Bethune- Cookman. It’s all in the spirit of love and trash- talking
True Florida Classic Rivalry – Wendell Duggins, President, Tampa Chapter FAMU, and Andra Diggs, President, Hillsborough County Chapter B-CU.
“The rivalry between Bethune-Cook- man Wildcats and Florida A & M Rat- tlers is alive and strong. Both programs are coming off victories and both team- s are hoping for a win. I hate to de- stroy their hope, but the Wildcats are going to beat the Rattlers “bad” and send them slithering back to Tallahas- see.
Andra Diggs, President, Hillsborough County Alumni Chapter Bethune- Cookman University
ROBERT ‘PETE’ EDWARDS
MS. ELAINE SLEDGE-SAFFOLD (B-CU) and her daughter, BRIT- TANY, who will graduate from FAMU on December 9th.
“The FAMU-
BCU Rivalry will
always be a HBCU
interstate happen-
ing. It brings to-
gether families
and friends of Rat-
tlers and Wild-
cats from Florida,
other states and
countries around
the globe. As
African Americans
maintain pride in what we have built, the value of this game growth in the heart of supporters. We will be able to obtain the funding with the fun that these two academic institution desires. GO RATTLERS! GO WILDCATS!
“When number 14 (Freshman QB Ryan Stanley, Pembroke Pines, FL) takes the field as the leaders of the Rat- tlers as the team’s quarterback, all the students, staff and alumni are elated to WIN with the quarterback.
“Today we are playing football in an academic environment. The ethnicity of the team, cheerleaders, Marching 100’s, staff, alumni and supporters make up the progress and dynamic in- stitution that FAMU is after 129 years. Number 14, our White quarterback is the best we have from Florida as a freshman. We are pleased.
“No longer are the days HBCUs re- cruit the best African-American ath- letes, the players here in Florida go to the PWI’s: UF, FSU, USF, UM, UCF and the likes. So, if they come to FAMU and they are good and consis- tent, they will play and they will gradu- ate.
Carolyn Hepburn Collins
teams
“The Florida
Classic is by far
the most whole-
some rivalry in
the country. It’s a
sports event
brings families
and foes together.
The Rattlers and
Wildcats look for-
ward to this event
every year. The
game may split families, but regardless of the score, we still love each other.
“Hopefully, this year’s Classic will take our minds off this election rhetoric for a couple of days.” Bobby Bowden
FAMU
CAROLYN HEPBURN COLLINS
“I’ve
missed a game, I’ve been going since I was 5 years old,” stated Julia Jackson, B-CU alumnae.
“We’re looking
forward to an-
other great ‘event
of the year.’ Al-
though neither of
the schools is as
effective as they
have been in the past – we both are going through a turnover season – we both will be surprised of the turnout and the big score.
“But as usual, both of our teams thoroughly enjoy the rivalry and the turnout of the many alumni and friends that support this great historic event, especially for the great Bethune-Cook- man University Wildcat fans.”
Julia Jackson, B-CU
FAMU Rattler Robert “Pete” Edwards said, “The game will be fan- tastic just because of the camaraderie. But, what I do is tell the young people to enjoy the game and all the festivities,
ATTY. TED TAYLOR
BOBBY BOWDEN
never
JULIA JACKSON
“Being a die-
hard Rattler in
Wildcat Country
isn’t that bad.
That first Classic
was hard because
IhadtowearB-
CU gear. I was
sneaking into
FAMU boxes
cheering with my
Rattler friends.
The rivalry is one that I look forward to each year. It is all in good fun.
“At the end of the day, we are all here to prepare some of the nation’s best and brightest minority leaders. That’s what it’s all about.”
- Keisha Boyd, FAMU Class of 2002 and current B-CU Director of Communications
The game Saturday will be tel- evised by ESPN Classic and ESPN3.com, starting at 2:30 p.m. from Camping World Sta- dium in Orlando.
KEISHA BOYD