A Classic Game for the Books
- Sey
- Sep 7, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 22, 2023
Rivalries are not uncommon especially in the sports world. Whether it’s the professional, collegiate, high school, or even boys and girls club level, one is bound to see fans or players get excited. This past weekend, the Aggie-Eagle Classic football game was no different. It was #TheMove in Charlotte for sure.
Two Historically Black Colleges (HBCU), North Carolina Central Eagles (NCCU) and North Carolina A&T Aggies (NCAT) faced off in Charlotte, NC Saturday. The two rivals have a history that dates back to a century ago! They celebrated their 100th anniversary of rivalry by headlining the Duke Mayo Classic, an opener to the college football season normally hosted in the Bank of America stadium.
Saturday was filled with hundreds of people lining the block in anticipation for the game. Tailgates for schools, sororities, fraternities, and other community organizations could be seen lined up on sidewalks and in parking lots. Tents of blue & yellow and burgundy & gray stood tall as grills with an array of meat let their smoke cloud the air. Loud music could be heard as different sororities and fraternities strolled, or performed a routine almost like a dance, to the songs. People hugged one another, laughed, and danced to different songs like ‘Cha Cha Slide’ and ‘Cupid Shuffle’.
The game officially kicked off at 7:30 p.m. EST. The stadium gradually filled up and everyone was locked into the game. The atmosphere resembled any major live football game with an over animated crowd, hyped football team, and stadium lights that were going crazy.
NCAT scored the first touchdown of the game but NCCU quickly answered with a touchdown of their own. NCAT was quick to gain six more points leading the game 13-7 against the Eagles. NCCU scored a much needed touchdown that changed the trajectory of the game. They finished the half 21-13. The game remained close and intense in the second half. However, the Aggies had no answer for the Eagles third quarter touchdown. NCCU won the game 28–13.
There were other activities for the weekend besides the actual game. A step show, game-day tailgates, college career fair, as well as an exhibit featuring the Aggie-Eagle rivalry were just a few of the attractions in uptown Charlotte. It was truly a weekend full of fun.
NCAT and NCCU are two of the largest HBCU’s in the state of North Carolina with only about an hour’s worth of distance between each other. The population at both NCCU and NCAT tend to be familiar with each other whether it’s from growing up in similar cities, traveling from the same state, or having a relative or friend that attended one of the universities.
“NCCU and NCAT are like the Redskins and the Cowboys or the black version of Duke and UNC. It’s a big beef that everyone kind of knows about,” NCCU sophomore Kourtney Jones said.
If you missed the game this year don’t worry! The rivalry doesn’t end here. You can catch both NCCU and NCAT in action next year September 9, 2023 in Greensboro, NC.
Sources:
Junior Kourtney Jones
Football schedules: https://fbschedules.com/2023-nc-central-football-schedule/
Brooklyn Collective Charlotte: https://www.brooklyncollectiveclt.org/collectiveevents?spMailingID=8637061&spUserID=MjgNTA1NzkwODYxS0&spJobID=1560693898&spReportId=MTU2MDY5Mzg5OAS2
Charlotte Meetings: https://www.charlottemeetings.com/event-venues
Seylon Edmundson
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