Magic City Classic

The Magic City Classic is an annual football game between Alabama's two largest, historically black universities: Alabama A&M University (Normal) and Alabama State University (Montgomery). The first game between the two schools was played in 1924. It has been an uninterrupted, annual tradition since 1945 and played at Legion Field in Birmingham since 1946. After winning the 2007 matchup, Alabama A&M enjoys a 33-30-3 all-time advantage.

In addition to the actual game, the event is known for a glamorous parade and a raucous "Battle of the Bands" between the respective schools' marching bands. Other events include a kickoff luncheon, pre-game entertainment, and abundant weekend tailgaiting outside the stadium.

2007

October 27: Alabama A&M won 13-9. The Bulldogs held the Hornets to 1 out of 12 conversions on third down, and intercepted quarterback Chris Mitchell on a potential game-winning drive in the last two minutes. The crowd was announced at 68,953, a record.^1.

2006

October 28: Alabama A&M won 21-13 in front of 66,233 fans. Tom Joyner served as Ambassador and Grand Marshal.

2005

October 29: Alabama A&M came from behind to win 31-28 in an offensive showcase front of 68,238 fans, the largest crowd ever at a Magic City Classic. Quarterback Kelcy Luke rushed for the final touchdown with 2:41 remaining.

The Grand Marshal and Ambassador was LL Cool J. Terry Cummings spoke at the kick-off luncheon, and Da Backwudz performed the pre-game show.

2004

Alabama State came from behind to mark a 24-20 victory in front of 65,312 at Legion Field. With A&M leading 20-7 in the 3rd quarter, Bulldogs QB Kelcy Luke hurt his ankle while hobbled Hornets running back Keldrick Williams came back into the game, turning the momentum toward State. Williams scored the winning touchdown with 1:48 left. Hornets QB Tarvaris Jackson finished 24-53 with 298 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

Magic Johnson was the Ambassador for the Magic City Classic. Ciara and Rickey Smiley were Grand Marshals for the parade. Ciara performed at the halftime show. Artur Davis addressed the kickoff luncheon, and Cornelius Bennett spoke at the team luncheon.

2003

Alabama A&M won 20-17. Ruben Studdard served as Ambassador and Grand Marshal. Evander Holyfield spoke at the team luncheon, introduced by Cecil Fielder.

2002

Alabama A&M won 23-20. John Stallworth served as Amabassador and Grand Marshal.

Previous classics

• 2001: Alabama State: 35-0
• 2000: Alabama A&M: 34-27
• 1999: Alabama A&M: 15-10
• 1998: Alabama State: 34-28
• 1997: Alabama State: 20-13
• 1996: Alabama A&M: 20-3
• 1995: Alabama State: 37-20
• 1994: Alabama State: 26-0
• 1993: Alabama State: 7-0
• 1992: Alabama State: 14-11
• 1991: Alabama State: 59-13. The 50th anniversary classic had an announced crowd of 70,200.
• 1990: Alabama State: 24-20
• 1989: Alabama A&M: 17-10
• 1988: Alabama State: 7-0
• 1987: Alabama State: 17-14
• 1986: Alabama A&M: 20-10
• 1985: Alabama A&M: 7-6
• 1984: Alabama A&M: 28-12
• 1983: Alabama A&M: 27-14
• 1982: Tie 13-13
• 1981: Alabama A&M: 13-3
• 1980: Alabama State: 20-17
• 1979: Alabama State: 17-14
• 1978: Alabama A&M: 22-7
• 1977: Alabama State: 14-7
• 1976: Alabama A&M: 17-15
• 1975: Alabama A&M: 29-22
• 1974: Alabama A&M: 14-7
• 1973: Alabama A&M: 10-7
• 1972: Alabama A&M: 8-7
• 1971: Alabama State: 12-6
• 1970: Alabama A&M: 26-18
• 1969: Alabama State: 26-6
• 1968: Alabama State: 27-21
• 1967: Alabama State: 13-7
• 1965: Alabama A&M: 36-19
• 1964: Alabama A&M: 34-0
• 1963: Alabama A&M: 30-0
• 1962: Alabama A&M: 32-14
• 1961: Alabama A&M: 54-6
• 1960: Alabama A&M: 32-12
• 1959: Alabama State: 22-0
• 1958: Alabama State: 20-8
• 1957: Alabama State: 13-7
• 1956: Tie: 0-0
• 1955: Alabama A&M: 13-6
• 1954: Alabama State: 23-7
• 1953: Alabama A&M: 13-7
• 1952: Alabama A&M: 38-13
• 1951: Alabama A&M: 27-6
• 1950: Alabama State: 16-12
• 1949: Tie: 13-13
• 1948: Alabama A&M: 14-8
• 1947: Alabama State: 12-6
• 1946: Alabama State: 15-14
• 1945: Alabama State: 20-7
• 1943-44: no games
• 1942: Alabama A&M: 20-6
• 1941: Alabama State: 21-13
• 1940: Alabama State: 24-6
• 1933-39: no games
• 1932: Alabama State: 18-0
• 1931: Alabama State: 56-0
• 1930: no game
• 1929: Alabama State: 32-0
• 1926-28: no games
• 1925: Alabama State: 7-0
• 1924: Alabama State: 30-0

Notes

1. According to Gene Hallman, the 1991 announced crowd of 70,200 was greatly exaggerated. (Melick & Gribble - 2007)

References

• City of Birmingham-Legion Field (n.d.). http://ci.bham.al.us/legionfield/index.htm - retrieved October 30, 2006
• Melick, Ray and Andrew Gribble (October 28, 2007) "Magic City Classic notebook." Birmingham News.

External links

• Magic City Classic website
• Photos of the 2006 Magic City Classic at pbase.com