For decades, the Southern Heritage Classic
’s foundation has created a platform that helped mold one of the biggest rivalries in HBCU football. Jackson State and Tennessee State are no longer participating in it, but founder Fred Jones remains committed to ensuring the 37th edition of the Southern Heritage Classic on Sept. 12 gives Memphis natives a reminder of what the event has always been about.“People look forward to (the SHC) as a way to get together with their family,” Jones told The Commercial Appeal.
“The Southern Heritage Classic is a nationwide brand after all these years,” he later added. “You just plug that into what has already been established.”
The essence of the classic remains the same.
Alcorn State University and the Arkansas-Pine
Bluff are playing each other for the second consecutive season (6 p.m. CT) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. This will be the Braves’ second appearance, while UAPB will be making its fourth straight.
A matchup between the two schools represents continuity.
Since Jackson State last played in the classic in 2022 and Tennessee State in 2024, there have been questions about which schools can keep the event going.
Jones has learned the past couple of years that there are many connections to Alcorn State and UAPB throughout Memphis. Beyond alumni reaching out to express their excitement, Jones said people from other HBCU programs have talked about watching the previous battles between Tennessee State and Jackson State.
“The classic in Memphis has become a reunion place for HBCU schools,” Jones said. “It was much deeper than I realized.”
Changes to the Southern Heritage Classic
A newly renovated Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium should provide a better experience for the classic. When the stadium underwent renovations the past two seasons, one of the most notable difficulties was that the schools' bands had to perform from the same side of the stadium.
Now, UAPB’s Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South and Alcorn State’s Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite band will be able to duel from their respective sides of the field throughout the game.
“It was kind of awkward for all of us having to deal with it that way, but we didn’t have a choice,” Jones said.
Last year’s matchup had an attendance of 21,442, the lowest attendance in the game’s history. Jones said the expectation is for between 20,000 and 25,000 fans this season. That would be the second-lowest attendance in the game’s history.
“Some people want to compare to the way things were earlier in the classic’s history, but things are different for everybody today,” Jones said. “We still are able to present the experience of what the classic means, what the HBCU means and what the city of Memphis means.”
TSU, JSU and the SHC's future
As for Jones, his hunger hasn’t changed.
He still gets excited about putting together the classic, and the event isn’t going anywhere in the immediate future.
Jones said the SHC is contractually locked into the second Saturday of September through 2032.
“What teams, what that looks like, we’ll see,” he said. “But again, my focus is this year. To do the best we can and make the best possible presentation, and we’ll take it from there.”
When the future of the SHC is discussed, Jackson State and Tennessee State will often come up because of their longtime participation in the event. The teams are scheduled to meet in Jackson, Mississippi, next fall, so they won’t be back in the classic in the immediate future.
“Tennessee State and Jackson State alumni and schools will always have a place as far as the Southern Heritage Classic,” Jones said.
“There is no animosity, no ill will or anything from Fred Jones for Tennessee State University or Jackson State University,” he added. “None whatsoever. A decision was made, we’ve all gone on and done what we have to do.”
UAPB and Alcorn State are currently holding down the fort. Other HBCUs could eventually join the event, but the Memphis connections and established history in recent years make the Golden Lions and Braves suitable participants, in Jones’ mind.
No matter which teams play in the classic, the game, pregame tailgate, parade, battle of the bands and classic fifth- quarter show must go on.
“The Southern Heritage Classic has a solid foundation,” Jones said. “It’s not fly-by-night or whimsical. Your family knows what they’re going to do at the Southern Heritage Classic. Other people in the community are the same way. It means something for them. It means something for this community. That’s the beauty of what this is all about.”
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Southern Heritage Classic continues to evolve while preserving foundation
