Alabama State University will hold its Turkey Day Classic football game on a day other than Thanksgiving this year, and it will play the game against the Tigers of Stillman College.
In a statement released to all of the members of the Alabama State University family by ASU President Gwendolyn E. Boyd, she announced that the 91st Annual Turkey Day Classic Homecoming Game will be played on Saturday, November 22, which is the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
In her release, she stated that all of the traditions of ASU’s Turkey Day Classic, such as the parade, the concert, the step show and tailgating will continue, just a week earlier. President Boyd also stated the move would allow more participation by the University’s students and allow the Hornet football team more flexibility to play in the SWAC Championship, as well as being eligible to compete for the FCS playoffs. ASU’s President also said that the change will allow ample time for those alumni and fans of ASU who live out of town to travel to Montgomery for Homecoming and still be back home for the holidays.
President Boyd said that the 91st Annual Turkey Day Classic will be the festive and fun-filled Homecoming event that all members of the Hornet Nation have come to know and love.
In a statement about ASU’s Turkey Day Classic, President Boyd wrote:
“As we move forward, we have a unique opportunity to work together as a unified team to chart a future that is even greater than our historic past. This is why I am excited to announce the release of our 2014 football schedule. An advance copy is included with this email.
As you review the schedule, you will find a major change.
The 91st Annual Turkey Day Classic Homecoming Game will be played on Saturday, November 22, 2014, the Saturday before Thanksgiving against the Tigers of Stillman College.
While changes have been discussed before, we felt that the time was right to make the move now for several reasons.
First, and most importantly, the move allows our students to be more involved in their Homecoming tradition. The University will no longer have to have two sets of homecoming activities.
Second, this change will allow our football players to compete not only for the SWAC Championship, but also be eligible to compete for the FCS playoffs.
And third, it will provide ample time for those of you who live out of town to travel to Montgomery for Homecoming and still be back home for the holidays.
I assure you that the 91st Annual Turkey Day Classic will be the festive and fun-filled homecoming event that we have all come to know and love.
All the traditions such as the parade, the concert, the step show and tailgating will continue, just a week earlier.
For your information, I have been in direct communication with the President of Tuskegee to attempt to bring back the ASU/Tuskegee traditional rivalry; however, they are unable to play us because of their desire to compete in the NCAA Division II National Playoffs.
As a Montgomery native and an alumna of this great University, I clearly understand the rich tradition of the Turkey Day Classic as we approach its century of existence.
With this change, we can make it even better and more robust.
I hope that you will join me in celebrating this exciting opportunity for our students, our athletics program, our alumni and, ultimately, for all who are a part of the Hornet Nation. I look forward to seeing you as we embark on a winning football season.
If you have any questions, please call the Athletics Department at 334-229-4507.”
