Plans for Vegas Classic in full swing

Plans are etched in stone for the First Annual Las Vegas Football Classic, to be held on September 13.
Eyes in the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) community will be focused on Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas to watch head coach Pete Richardson and his Southern University Jaguars face off with the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University.
Urban Sports and Entertainment Group (USEG), New Creation Productions (NCP) and CMC Enterprises have joined to host and promote the event. Jonathan Simon, chief operating officer of NCP serves as executive director of the classic and is optimistic about the game coming to Las Vegas.
“Not only will the Las Vegas Football Classic expose young people to a black culture mostly foreign to them, but there will also be tremendous opportunity for black businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Simon in a released statement.
Black students will also be the on receiving end of opportunities. The 2003 Las Vegas Football Classic has guaranteed $375,000 to both schools, including expenses. High school seniors in the metropolitan Las Vegas area and Clark County, Nev. area will also receive $10,000 in minority scholarships. In addition, officials of the event have estimated the economic impact for the Las Vegas area to reach $20 million.
According to Simon, the cultural impact could be priceless.
“The main purpose in playing this game is to expose the youth of Las Vegas to a cultural event that is mostly foreign to them because of the generational disconnect between African-Americans west of the Rocky Mountains and those back East,” Simon stated. “An HBCU classic is about more than the final score, its about opportunity, community and unity.”
A press conference was held in July to officially announce the game.
SU Chancellor Edward Jackson and NCA&T Chancellor James Renick were on hand to promote the inaugural event before a crowd of alumni, press and visitors at the Rio Casino and Hotel.
Jackson stated during the conference that the city of Las Vegas should embrace the game for the tourism and financial impact it could have.
“Southern has been involved in classics for many years,” said Jackson during the conference. “What a powerful event you have within your grasp if only you nourish it.”
He later said the economic impact of the State Farm Bayou Classic brings approximately $85 million to the city of New Orleans annually and that same $85 million could come to Las Vegas.
The two football head coaches of the universities were also present. Richardson started his speech rivaling North Carolina A&T’s Aggies fan base.
“This is going to be a great rivalry,” Richardson said. “We don’t really get a chance to play past Indianapolis (Circle City Classic) and when we come, people are going to be in for a rude awakening. When it comes to pride, no one has it like the Jaguar Nation. The alumni couldn’t wait to get the game on schedule and we get the notoriety because of our following.”
Aggies head coach George Small approached the speaker’s podium donning Ray Charles-type sun glasses and ready for rebuttal.
“I know that this is not a boxing match, but I donned sun glasses because it’s Show Time! This is my first year back and it’s very special to me…to be back home at my alma mater,” Small said.
Songstress Gladys Knight, local entertainer Clint Holmes, comedian Steve Harvey and New Orleans’ own Neville Brothers will add to the “ShowTime” exclaimed by Small.
Other events include the Classic Kick-off Party September 11, the Celebrity Golf Tournament, the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday and the Pre-game Tailgate Jam at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Speaker Pro-Temp Wendell Williams of the Nevada State Legislature and Las Vegas Assemblyman Lawrence Weekly, who are Southern and Grambling State University alumni, respectively, will also be on-site for the festivities.
Williams has the distinction of having a school named after him, the Wendell P. Williams Elementary School, in Las Vegas.
Tickets for the game went on sale May 13 and range from $13-$78. Many festivities are planned in conjunction with the game.
For more information, visit vegasfootballclassic.com or call 702-804-5529.