HBCU National Champion North Carolina Central Eagles and Mississippi Valley Delta Devils to Appear in the 39th Annual Circle City Classic

COURTESY OF MVSU SPORTS

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The 39th Anniversary Circle City Classic® will feature the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils against the North Carolina Central University Eagles, bringing an exciting match-up between one of the 1st teams to participate in the Circle City Classic and the 2022 HBCU National Champion. The showdown will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023, 3:00PM EST. at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“After a year hiatus, we are excited to announce HBCU football is coming back to Lucas Oil Stadium. Bringing these Division One storied football teams, representing the MEAC and SWAC conferences with a great alumni base and incredible marching bands is a great opportunity to showcase the best of the best HBCUs to the Midwest”, said Alice Watson, IBE President & CEO.

The last time Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils participated in the Circle City Classic® was when wide receiver Jerry Rice scored two touchdowns against Grambling, Oct. 3, 1984. The #1 North Carolina Central University Eagles will make only their second appearance after defeating South Carolina State in 2012. “North Carolina Central University is thrilled to be returning to Indianapolis and the prestigious Circle City Classic,” said Dr. Louis “Skip” Perkins, NCCU Director of Athletics. “We are looking forward to showcasing NCCU on this grand stage and reuniting with our proud alumni and fans in the region.” “It is an honor to be one of the first teams to compete in the Circle City Classic® and to be selected again after a 38-year hiatus and a great way to begin the celebration of 70 Years of Football at Mississippi Valley State University,” said Director of Athletics Hakim McClellan. “We look forward to the beginning of our 18th Head Coach Kendrick Wade era. We were looking for a leader with a vision who could draw people into the program and toward him. Coach Wade has done just that as he has inherited some great student-athletes from last season and has recruited some phenomenal talent, coaching staff, and student-athletes, to the Delta Devils’ football program.”

History continues with the extremely popular and exciting half-time show featuring the Circle City Classic® “Battle of the Bands.” This year’s match-up features the NCCU Sound Machine Marching Band and the MVSU Mean Green Marching Machine. The NCCU Sound Machine Marching Band has played at professional sports events, has been featured on ESPN First Take and ESPN Celebration Bowl, and participated in the National Battle of the Bands. The MVSU Mean Grean Marching Machine was the first African American band to participate in the Tournament of Roses parade.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Circle City Classic® football by offering a 30-day special. For the first 30 days, $50 tickets will be 50% off, said Alice Watson, IBE President & CEO.”

Tickets are available starting March 31 for the 39th Anniversary of the Circle City Classic® by logging on to ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.circlecityclassic.com.