Wednesday, November 17, 2010

B-CU, FAMU clash brings needed business to the ailing Citrus Bowl

The game brings in an estimated $25 million to $30 million economic impact for the city every year.

There is a view from inside the luxurious Amway Center that stares across a row of broccoli-topped trees and ends at the dilapidated Citrus Bowl. It is a bittersweet sight of unfulfilled promises for a promising venue. Talks of the " Triple Crown for Downtown" have long since cooled off after Amway Center was completed.

The fledgling economy all but depleted funding for the performing arts center and Citrus Bowl renovations. And with each passing day, the Citrus Bowl is losing multi-million dollar opportunities for the city. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, let's give thanks for the Florida Classic this weekend.

Q & A: Talking with the presidents of FAMU and B-CU before the 31st annual Florida Classic

On the heels of the 31st annual Florida Classic, the Orlando Sentinel caught up with Florida A&M President Dr. James H. Ammons and Bethune Cookman University President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed for their insights on the game and their schools.

Orlando Sentinel: Historically black colleges and universities don't usually get the benefit of major television exposure. What's the biggest way you promote your teams?

Ammons: Well, actually, FAMU as well as other members of the MEAC have had TV exposure through ESPN2, ESPN Classic and ESPNU. What we are working toward is for one of our games, maybe the Florida Classic, to be televised on ESPN, the major stations for ESPN or on ABC.

Reed: Well, I think that it's important to know that we're a part of the MEAC and our commissioner along with the other institutions renegotiated the contract with ESPN to have more of our games televised and there is this SWAC-MEAC blend that gets more of our games on ESPNU and Classic. So that has been a really healthy start and I think last classic was the first time we were televised by ESPN so there is a movement of change, although it is slow.

Videographer:FAMUTube1887

Videographer: Gentleman1911

Florida Classic events schedule

One of the state of Florida's most historic football games, The Florida Classic between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman is this weekend at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. This year's game has added significance, as Bethune Cookman enters 10-0 for the first time in school history, having already clinched a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title at 7-0 in the league.

The Wildcats have a chance to finish the regular-season unbeaten for the first time. Bethune-Cookman would also earn an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs if they win. It would also earn that honor even if it loses if South Carolina State beats North Carolina A&T next week. One of the teams that is still in the hunt to tie B-C for the league title is Florida A&M, which enters 7-3 overall but 6-1 in the league.

The Rattlers have won five straight games...

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