HISTORY OF THE CLASSIC

The Eighth Annual Palmetto Capital City Classic Football Game will be held on Saturday September 5, 2009 Labor Day Weekend, at the Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.  The Classic is more than a football game; it is an experience that brings fans together from around the state of South Carolina and the Southeast.  The Classic activities, held over a 5 day period, have been a much anticipated event for the state of South Carolina the past seven years.  

This five day experience is filled with spectacular events including a Golf Tournament, a jazz show, pre-game parade featuring high school bands from around the Southeast as well as the participating college bands, a comedy show, and a pre-game show and concert on game day. Another main attraction during the Classic weekend is the PCCC Vendor Village with vendors from around the Southeast. All these exciting events culminate on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. with the actual Classic game.  This year the Benedict College Tigers will take on the West Virginia State University Yellow Jackets at the Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

The Classic isn’t just all about a fantastic weekend of fun and football. The primary mission is generating revenue for scholarships and financial support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by showcasing the educational and athletic endeavors of participating HBCUs through quality athletic and academic programs and school pride.

PARTICIPATING HBCUs IN THE 2009 CLASSIC

The Benedict College “Tigers”

Since its inception in 1870, Benedict College has provided quality instruction in the arts and sciences for students from around the world and is nationally recognized. The school offers bachelor degree programs in 25 major areas of study and has been recognized by the Knight Foundation for its commitment to providing high standards of quality in education.  A member of the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) Benedict has become a major challenger for the Commissioner trophy awarded each year to the Conferences most outstanding intercollegiate athletic program.

The West Virginia State University "Yellow Jackets”

West Virginia State University was founded in 1891 as a public institute. In 1915, the school was renamed as the West Virginia Collegiate Institute and began to also offer college degrees. It was renamed West Virginia State College in 1929. Today, it is a historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially diverse, and multi-generational institution offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees. The suburban University is located in Institute, WV, eight miles from downtown Charleston.

West Virginia State University is a comprehensive university dedicated to meeting the intellectual and professional needs of students, whether you are a traditional 18-year-old or an adult learner seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree.  West Virginia State University is a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletics Association (WVIAC), a NCAA Division II program.