Soldier Field turned into a Historically Black College and University showcase Saturday, as the Lincoln University (PA) Lions faced the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils in the 29th annual Chicago Football Classic, kicking off at 3 p.m. The game marked Lincoln's participation in the Chicago event and capped a week that stretched well beyond the field, blending scholarship dollars, college recruiting, and a run of civic recognition from City Hall.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson marked the occasion with a post on X, calling the Classic an event that, for the 29th year, encourages “students and parents to raise the bar of achievement and excellence” through youth initiatives, high school programming, and scholarships, and invites families to learn about the academic, historical, and cultural opportunities HBCUs offer, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson
The mayor's post also highlighted the Classic's 29th run.
A Nonprofit Built Around Sending Kids to College
The Chicago Football Classic was established in 1997 to encourage high school students to pursue higher education at HBCUs, according to Mississippi Valley State University Athletics. Since its inception, the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $3 million in college scholarships to Chicagoland students, including over $1 million distributed since 2020 alone, the same report notes. The fund provides $5,000 individual scholarships to qualifying new and returning HBCU students, per the Chicago Football Classic.
The football game itself is only part of the equation. On Friday, the day before kickoff, the Classic expanded its educational programming with an HBCU College & Career Fair and BMO Financial Empowerment Summit inside Soldier Field's United Club, with HBCU representatives in attendance. The fair provided another opportunity for students to engage with HBCU representatives.
Ticket Sales Feeding Campus Programs
For this year's game, Mississippi Valley State University was one of the participating schools.
Game day itself carried its own performance traditions. A High School Battle of the Bands took place on the Grand Lawn ahead of kickoff, followed by a halftime band battle between the two universities' marching bands, according to Soldier Field. Those high school band competitions award trophies and prize money to Chicagoland music programs.
Back After a Pause, Amid a Packed Weekend Downtown
Saturday's matchup marked the Classic's return to Soldier Field after a 2025 hiatus, per Mississippi Valley State University Athletics.
The Classic's return gives Midwest students direct exposure to Black college options, The TRiiBE notes.
Saturday's game also unfolded during a busy weekend in Chicago.
Hoodline previously covered the Classic's cultural footprint back in 2019, when a Howard-Hampton tailgate filled the Soldier Field parking lot as part of that year's festivities, underscoring how the event has long doubled as a community gathering point beyond the scoreboard.
