The Florida Blue Florida Classic is an annual college football game between the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats and the Florida A&M Rattlers. It is one of the major historical black college football classics played annually in the United States. The game is typically held in November at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The Florida Blue Florida Classic is a neutral site game, meaning neither Bethune-Cookman nor Florida A&M hosts the event. It is considered a homecoming game for both teams, as a significant portion of each school’s alumni base lives in Central Florida. The event is more than just a football game, it is a week-long celebration of culture, scholarship, and community.
History
The Florida Blue Florida Classic has its origins in the long history of both Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M as historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Bethune-Cookman was founded in 1904 in Daytona Beach by Mary McLeod Bethune and the Florida A&M University was founded in 1887 in Tallahassee as the State Normal College for Colored Students.
The two football teams first met in 1925, with annual games beginning in 1936. By the 1970s, the Bethune-Cookman/Florida A&M matchup had emerged as one of the most anticipated games on the HBCU calendar.
In 1978, the game was first played at the newly opened Florida Citrus Bowl (now Camping World Stadium) in Orlando. Moving the game to a neutral, larger stadium allowed for bigger crowds and helped cement the game as an annual HBCU tradition.
Game Results
Year | Winner | Score |
---|---|---|
1925 | Florida A&M | 6-0 |
1936 | Bethune-Cookman | 18-6 |
1937 | Florida A&M | 32-0 |
As seen in the table above, results have swung back and forth over the long history of the rivalry. Coming into the 2022 contest, Florida A&M holds a 50-24-1 all-time lead in the series.
Game Week Activities
The college football game is just one small piece of the overall Florida Blue Florida Classic experience. Game week features a range of events across Orlando including:
- Florida Blue Battle of the Bands – Showcase performance by the FAMU Marching 100 and Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats.
- FanFare – The Florida Classic Consortium sponsors four days of events celebrating football, arts, culture, and scholarship.
- Florida Blue Florida Classic 5K Run/Walk
- College fair and recruiting expo
- Golf tournament
- Step show competition between Divine 9 fraternities and sororities
- Alumni networking events
- Job and career fairs
The full slate of events attracts over 150,000 attendees to Orlando from across the country each November. The game and its associated events have an estimated annual economic impact of $31 million for the city.
Game Day Experience
Game day brings tens of thousands of fans out to Camping World Stadium for the festive atmosphere and exciting football. The Florida Blue Florida Classic has developed a number of traditions over the years:
- Tailgating – Thousands of fans from both schools tailgate in the parking lots surrounding the stadium.
- Marching bands – Pregame shows featuring high-energy routines and music.
- Battle of the Bands – The FAMU Marching 100 and Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats alternate mini halftime shows.
- Football teams intro – Players run onto the field through on-field tunnels with smoke effects.
- Halftime show – Elaborate themed performances by the marching bands.
The energetic atmosphere and close game results make for an unforgettable experience each year. Fans leave already looking forward to next year’s Florida Blue Florida Classic.
Leaders in HBCU Football
Beyond the annual matchup, both Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M have storied histories as HBCU football programs:
Bethune-Cookman
- 4 Black College Football National Championships
- 14 MEAC Championships
- Multiple players drafted into the NFL
- Over 500 program wins
Florida A&M
- 1 Black College Football National Championship
- 17 MEAC Championships
- Multiple players drafted into the NFL
- Over 550 program wins
The rich histories raise the stakes for each edition of the Florida Blue Florida Classic. Both teams recognize they are carrying on the legacy of all the players and coaches who came before them.
Conclusion
The Florida Blue Florida Classic represents far more than a single football game. It brings together the alumni, students, and supporters of two storied HBCU programs for a celebration of culture, community, and fun. Game week events highlight the best of both universities.
The exciting game day atmosphere, with dueling marching bands and passionate fans, creates memories to last a lifetime. Simply put, the Florida Blue Florida Classic is a can’t-miss event for any HBCU football fan.