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Jackson State, Hampton square off in Orlando
Labor Day Classic
August 14, 2004
The Tigers of Jackson State of the Southwestern Athletic
Conference (SWAC) will take on the Hampton Pirates of the
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Saturday September
4 in the inaugural Labor Day Classic at Orlando Florida's
Citrus Bowl.
 This is the season opener for both squads and the first time these two teams
have ever met.
"This should be a great match-up," said Hampton Head Coach Joe Taylor. "Jackson
State is a championship caliber team with a championship program."
Jackson State's head coach is James Bell is beginning his second season with
the Tigers
Hampton, a 116 year old institution nustled between historic Williamsburg sand
Virginia Beach Virginia, is one of the most endowed of the more than 100 historically
black colleges and universities in the US with a student body of more than
5700 hailing from 49 states and 35 territories.
Jackson State, founded in 1877 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society,
is a solid fixture in Mississippi's Capitol City with more than 7000 graduate
and undergraduate students and some 400 full and part-time faculty members.
Classic organizer, The Event Authority, has planned a variety
of events surrounding the game beginning Thursday, September
2nd with a kickoff reception at Orlando City Hall with a
kickoff party to follow that evening.
Golfers will tee off at 8:30am Friday for the Mayors' Cup
tournament at Shingle Creek resort and Golf Course while
at sunset the younger set will enjoy a high school step show
and drumline competition featuring both Jackson State and
Hampton. That same evening, a "grown folks" First Friday party kicks
off at 9pm.
Saturday, a 4x4 flag football contest and pre-game tail party precedes the
6pm kickoff. The weekend's activities wrap up with an "Upscale Saturday
Party" at Orlando's House of Blues.
Proceeds from the Classic will benefit the Eddie Robinson Foundation, named
for the former Grambling coaching legend. "That excites me almost as much
as playing the game," said Taylor, " I'm happy and Hampton is happy
to be a part of anything that involves Coach Robinson."
Tickets are available on both the Hampton and Jackson State campuses or through
ticketmaster.
For additional game and event details, visit www.orlandolabordayclassic.com.
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