By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
In response to the many inquiries regarding the status of the September 11, 2010 football game between the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Wildcats and the Savannah State University (SSU) Tigers, the FVSU Department of Athletics takes the following position:
By generally accepted definition, “classic” football games receive that designation when they meet one of the three descriptions outlined below.
First, a “classic” is a contest in which both schools participate in the organization, marketing, promotion, and game-day management of the event. Similarly, both schools also share in the expenses and revenue generated from the game.
Alternatively, when a third party promoter organizes the game, the event is typically deemed a “classic” when both schools receive a guarantee fee for appearing in the game. In such cases, the institutions play a very limited role in the management of the event. The schools may, however, be responsible for a certain amount of ticket sales on their respective campuses.
The final qualifying classic moniker is when a single institution sponsors the game. In these cases, the host school handles all facets of game organization and extends an invitation to the guest school based on an acceptable guarantee fee for appearing.
According to these board categories the September game between FVSU and SSU, while initially labeled a classic, is not. In anticipation of rising expectations about the revenue benefits that will flow to FVSU Athletics as a result of participating in the September 11th game, the following facts will diminish those expectations.
The signed agreement between FVSU and SSU is a two-year pact in which this year’s game is SSU’s home game and the 2011 home game is FVSU’s. The agreement makes no reference and has no provisions for a “classic” arrangement.
Since FVSU has no control over how SSU arranges its’ home game, SSU remains free to contract with any third party to promote, organize and manage its’ home contest. That is precisely what they have done.
Through an agreement with the 100 Black Men of Macon, the game is unilaterally being designated as the “Music City Classic.” The unilateral nature of this designation is based upon the fact FVSU was not included in any “classic” discussion and is not slated to receive any guarantee fee for appearing, expense offset, or revenue enhancement for participating in the game.
As outlined above, the game on September 11th does not fit any of the acceptable models for this game to qualify as a “classic.” Accordingly, while the FVSU Department of Athletics will do all that it can to ensure that SSU and the 100 Black Men of Macon are successful in their collaborative effort, the FVSU Department of Athletics is bound by integrity to not mislead its constituency about the labeling and definition of this game. Since the September 11th game does not meet the standards of a “classic,” it has not been nor will it be labeled as such in any FVSU collateral material.
Pending the success of the 2010 game between FVSU and SSU in Macon, GA, perhaps the foundation will be laid for a true “classic” in 2011 in which FVSU, SSU, and the 100 Men of Macon will join forces to establish a mutually beneficial event for all participants and for the citizens for Macon, GA and the surrounding area.
-Wildcats Athletics
