HISTORY OF THE GAME: The Florida
Classic, is the annual rivalry game between the Rattlers of
Florida A&M and the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman. While the
two teams have met on the gridiron since 1925, rotating home
fields, the game turned into the Florida Classic in 1978
when Tampa was selected as neutral turf. In 1997 the game
was moved to Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl. The series was
suspended for a year during negotiations.
AT A GLANCE:
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
Location: Daytona Beach
Founded: 1904
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Mascot: Wildcats
Enrollment: 2,500
President: Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed
FLORIDA A&M
Location: Tallahassee
Founded: 1887
Colors: Orange and Green
Mascot: Rattlers
Enrollment: 13,500
President: Dr. James Ammons
Whether you're talking to a Bethune-Cookman
University Wildcat or a Florida A&M University Rattler fan,
those heading to Orlando for the Florida Classic all want their
team to be triumphant.And regardless of
which side you talk to, the response is sure to be, "We are
going to win."
End of discussion.
But wait, this is about way more than
football.
Both historically black institutions, one a
state school the other private, are famous for their marching
bands, which have large followings, perhaps even larger than
those of the football teams.
And the day will include tailgating parties,
good natured trash talk and plenty of hype as the two teams take
the field this afternoon at the Florida Citrus Bowl for their
annual showdown.
HISTORIC RIVALRY
The annual rivalry game between
the Rattlers of Florida A&M and the Wildcats of
Bethune-Cookman University - formerly known as
Bethune-Cookman College - dates back to 1925,
with the two teams rotating home fields.
In 1978 the gridiron battle
between the two teams evolved into the Florida
Classic. Sadly, today's game comes three days
after the death of former FAMU athletic director
Hansel Tookes, who created the Florida Classic.
The Classic was initially
played in Tampa. In 1997, the game relocated to
the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando and picked up
Walt Disney World as a major sponsor. Game
attendance topped 71,200 in 2006.
