DC Unveils Nation's Football Classic

Gregory A. O’Dell, President & CEO, Washington Convention and Sports Authority; Gary Harrell, Howard University Head Football Coach; Dr. Sidney Ribeau, President, Howard University; Dr. William Bynum Jr., Vice President, Student Services, Morehouse College; Rich Freeman, Morehouse College Head Football Coach; Erik A. Moses, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, WCSA.
A Classic has marched into D.C.! The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) unveiled the Nation’s Football Classic™ in spectacular fashion last night at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed joined 150 guests, dignitaries and media for an inspiring program of pageantry and prose emceed by V103’s Frank Ski of Atlanta. The Nation’s Football Classic™ kicks off with Howard University and Morehouse College renewing their rivalry on September 10, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. at RFK Stadium.

The Howard University band and dancers got things started on an upbeat note, treating guests to a dazzling performance to open the program. WCSA President and CEO Greg O’Dell and Senior Vice President Erik Moses extended the official invites to the participating schools, represented by Howard President Dr. Sidney Ribeau and Morehouse Vice President Dr. William Bynum, Jr. The UNCF (United Negro College Fund) was introduced as a founding partner and represented by Chief Financial Officer Early Reese. The WCSA and UNCF are partnering to bring the organization’s HBCU Empower Me Tour to the nation’s capital as part of the Classic festivities. Additional weekend activities include a step show and Fan Festival. The program closed with a light-hearted Q&A with the respective head football coaches – Howard’s Gary Harrell and Morehouse’s Rich Freeman.

Other faces in the crowd included Howard alumnus Antoine Bethea of the Indianapolis Colts, WCSA Board members Emily Durso and Linda Greenan, Destination DC President Elliott Ferguson, DC Chief of Staff Gerri Mason Hall, Greater Washington Board of Trade President and CEO Jim Dinegar, Hotel Association of Washington, D.C. President Solomon Keene, Jr., Howard Athletic Director Skip Perkins and Morehouse Athletic Director Andre Pattillo.

Go to www.nationsfootballclassic.com for more info.

Tickets for the inaugural Nation’s Football Classic™ are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com and the Howard University box office.