As they presented the 17th Annual Gateway Football Classic, The St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation provided numerous activities of fun for everyone to enjoy this past weekend. Familiar favorite University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions returned to the line-up at the Edward Jones Dome on Saturday to take on the Clark Atlanta University Panthers � which compelled students, alumni, friends and family to come from everywhere and celebrate.
Legendary comedian and activist Dick Gregory showed his support to Earl Wilson Jr. with his annual Comedy Show at the Casino Queen Thursday night. Gregory expressed his appreciation for the Gateway Classic Sports Foundation and the opportunity for African Americans to have a week of celebration for Historical Black Colleges or Universities in St. Louis.
�Everyone reach out and say thank you. This is our week,� Gregory said.
The St. Louis Streets were filled with everyone showing love to their particular college at the pep rally from singing the schools alma mater songs to football players yelling their chants.
Greek organizations tailgated during the weekend. Local and out-of-state high school drill teams performed alongside the bands of the participating universities down Market Street while the crowd jammed to the music.
Robert Jones, owner of Alpha One Greek and Promotional Items came to show support after the parade and sell a few items of Greek paraphernalia to everyone.
�I like to show love to everyone,� Jones said.
The football game had the rival bands playing in the stands with the supporting fans on their sides, before the infamous half time show of the battle of the bands.
The halftime show had fans dancing and singing along to Usher�s,�OMG� and Bel Biv Devoe�s, �Poision� and local act Bradd Young sang the Negro national anthem and performed his song,�Grown Man.�
The Golden Lions beat the Clark Atlanta Panthers 35-19, but both schools received honors for their battle of the band performances.
Alumni of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Rosemary Cauele, felt that the Gateway Classic Foundation is important for students who want to go to college and everyone should support the cause.
�I think this type of thing is good because we�re supporting our children. The scholarships provides opportunities to kids that may not have an opportunity to pay tuition for college,� Cauele said.