The Gateway Classic has been going strong for 15 years. As the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff played a different team, the school’s alumni brought a faithful fan base year after year to the Historically Black College Football experience.
But new teams were introduced a couple of years back. So for 2008, the entertainment division of the weekend’s lineup has picked up the ball and is working to secure a new set of attendants.
“This is the 15th year and if you don’t do something to excite the new people, then it’s going to die off,” said Gary Boyd, director of entertainment for the Gateway Classic Sports Foundation.
“There has to be a component that can draw in the young people – the people who don’t know about HBCUs – and make the Gateway Classic something they are excited about.”
Rap artists Young Berg and Twista along with comedians Rickey Smiley and Anthony Anderson are just a few national acts that Boyd is confident will build a new fan base for the event.
The Gateway Classic entertainment activities board reached out to local promoters and allowed them – via sponsorship packages – to take advantage of the organization’s brand.
“I saw that it would be a good thing to connect with the Gateway,” said Corey Franklin of Top Choice Entertainment, who is bringing the Rickey Smiley and Friends Comedy Tour to the Chaifetz Arena on Saturday night.
“It’s been a good marketing tool for us.”
Rickey Smiley – who is an HBCU alum (Alabama State University) – will throw the battle of the bands kick-off coin toss.
Revelers will play a part in the foundation’s mission to provide financial means for St. Louis students to pursue higher learning opportunities.
Since kicking off in 1994, the Gateway Classic Football Classic has provided more than $2 million in scholarships.
“You’ll walk away being able to see African Americans of all ages coming together and supporting something positive, Boyd said. “And you will be able to see celebrities, from the young to the young at heart.”
In addition to Twista, Smiley and Anderson, Mary Wilson, Dick Gregory, Richard Roundtree, Evander Holyfield and several others are scheduled.
“Some of the older regime wanted to know what they are going to do,” Boyd said.
“But I assured them that anything we endorse for the Classic – which is about education – will be very classy and family friendly.”
The 15th Annual Gateway Football Classic Weekend takes place Thurs. Sept. 25 – Sat., Sept. 27. For more information, visit http://www.gatewayclassic.org/events.html. or call (314) 621-1994.
See the St. Louis American’s Calendar on Page C3 under Gateway Classic 2008 Activities for a full listing of entertainment activities at various venues in support of the Gateway Classic Weekend.
