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 2008 matchup, Alabama A&M enjoys a 34-30-3 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.
2008
October 25: Alabama A&M defeated Alabama State 17-16 with the key being the Bulldogs four interceptions of Hornets quarterback Anthony Speight. Ulysses Banks rushed for one touchdown, Kevin Atkins completed a 4-yard pass to Rashad Johnson for another, and Jeremy Licea added a 29-yard field goal to account for A&M's scoring. Speight threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Darius Mathis and a 15-yarder to Nicholas Andrews to go with a 38-yard Jake King field goal. State failed to convert on a 2-point attempt for the win and Speight was intercepted for the fourth time with just over a minute remaining to close the game.
Attendance was reported at 69,113, setting a new record. Overall participation inside and outside the stadium was estimated at over 110,000. The title sponsor of the game was Food-World, with Pepsi as the presenting sponsor. In preparation for the event the city of Birmingham spent nearly $180,000 to increase the number of shuttle buses available to transport fans from 20 to 75, to have GameDay Management Group of Orlando, Florida manage them, and to offer rides free of charge. The improvements were well-received by fans.
Tom Joyner was the event's ambassador and Vivica Fox was grand marshal of the parade. Joyner and Steve Harvey both broadcast their radio shows live from Birmingham on the day of the game.
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.
Sinbad was the Magic City Classic Ambassador. Gridlock traffic and long waits at shuttle stops were harshly criticized.
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.
2001
Alabama State won 35-0. Charles Barkley was the Magic City Classic ambassador.
2000
Alabama A&M won 34-27. Willie Mays was the Magic City Classic ambassador.
Previous classics
- 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
- 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
- Williams, Roy L. (October 22, 2008) "Thousands heading to Birmingham for premier matchup." Birmingham News
External links
- Magic City Classic website
- Photos of the 2006 Magic City Classic at pbase.com