The Gateway Classic Foundation prides itself on its Classic Weekend, because the fun and excitement pays off in scholarships for students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
These scholarships are taking on added importance, because many HBCUs are suffering dramatic declines in enrollment.
According to the U.S Education Department, the total U.S. college enrollment of black men and women ages 18 to 24 increased from 15 percent in 1970 to about 25 percent in 2003. The number of black students enrolling in historically black schools increased, too, from 190,305 in 1976 to more than 230,000 in 2001.
But the percentage of black college students choosing a black school has been slipping, from 18.4 percent in 1976 to 12.9 percent in 2001.
Twenty-six of 87 black schools profiled recorded enrollment declines between 1995 and 2004.
Many of the students who do choose HBCUs need financial assistance to attend their respective schools. Saturday’s football game between the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Tuskegee University will help to create vital scholarships.
The Gateway Classic Scholarship Program awards full, four-year scholarships to St. Louis youth. The scholarships are awarded based on financial need, and the student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and carry 12 credit hours each semester. To date, more than 90 scholarships have been awarded.
“This year will prove to be one of the greatest Classics that St. Louis has ever seen,” said Earl Wilson, Gateway Classic founder and president.
The weekend starts off at 6 p.m. tonight (Sept. 28) with the Dick Gregory Comedy Reception at the President Casino St. Louis Riverfront downtown.
At noon Friday, the Foundation will host the annual St. Louis Rams Coaches Luncheon at the Gateway Classic Complex, located at 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King. This year, the Foundation will honor former NFL player Samuel Cunningham, WBA World Welterweight Champion Mark Breland, U.S. Olympic silver medalist and Goodwill Games gold medalist Greg Foster and former NBA player Jo Jo White.
On Friday evening, boxing promoter Don King, actor and producer Robert Townsend, musical icon Lionel Richie, civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams and Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) will be honored during the Sodexho Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner. The reception for this event will start at 6 p.m. with the dinner/program beginning at 7 p.m.
“We are extremely exited about the honorees coming to celebrate the Gateway Classic Weekend with us,” Wilson said.
Saturday morning kicks off with the Hardee’s Parade. The two-mile route begins at the corner of 12th and Market downtown. The parade ends at the Edward Jones Dome (7th and Cole Streets). There will also be a street festival with vendors serving food, fun and entertainment all day Friday and Saturday in Baer Plaza.
The highlight of the weekend is the Gateway Football Classic at 4 p.m., at the Edward Jones Dome.
For a complete list of weekend activities, see Calendar in Weekend
