Band Director Southern Heritage Classic / Steve Jones

Southern Heritage Classic: The Best College Football Weekend In Memphis

The Southern Heritage Classic is one of the biggest HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) rivalry games of the year. Since 1990, upwards of 40,000 fans annually have come from Jackson State University and Tennessee State University to Memphis and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium to see their respective alma-maters battle it out for annual bragging rights. Running from September 12 - 14, 2024, the 35th annual Southern Heritage Classic will feature a matchup, pitting the Tennessee State Tigers against the Golden Lions of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Southern Heritage Classic
Roseberry Pictures
UAPB Cheerleaders look at band performing at Southern Heritage Classic
Julian Harper
football player at southern heritage classic
Julian Harper
Tenn State band performs
Julian Harper

From early September through the Holidays in December and January, one thing and one thing only dominates southern life: College Football. Though some will say it’s just a game, we know it’s so much more. College football brings us together at the office. It divides us in our houses. It gives us good reason to wear loud colors and call radio stations to rant. College football taps into a unique southern spirit, and there may be no more unique college football event in the country than the annual Southern Heritage Classic.

Southern Heritage Classic History

Since 1989, the Southern Heritage Classic started like so many great ideas, out of necessity. The two teams played each other regularly, but the geographic distance dampened attendance, especially for the visiting squad. The question then was to increase attendance and and make this great game a two-sided affair? At some point in the late 80s, a solution emerged: Host the game in Memphis, a geographically neutral location accessible to both campuses and a hotbed for both schools’ alumni. And like so many great ideas, the benefits far exceed the initial intentions. For over 30 years, the Classic has become more than a way to boost attendance. It’s become a celebration of HBCU’s.  

And with that celebration comes so much more than the game, which, by the way has featured future super bowl participants like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Anthony Levine and Lamar Divens.

Get your Southern Heritage Tickets

the can’t-miss events during Southern Heritage Classic weekend:

The action isn't limited to just on the football field. The Southern Heritage Classic brings together a whole weekend of events, musical performances, parades, and more.

Thursday, September 12

Classic Concert
8 p.m., Orpheum Theatre
Enjoy an evening with of Classic soul starring a TBA act and Jammin Jay Lamont.

Friday, September 13

Classic College & Career Fair 
8:30 a.m., Pipkin Building at Tiger Lane/Liberty Park
Join representatives from regional colleges and universities to learn more about college admissions. Learn more.

Classic Coaches Luncheon presented by FedEx 
Noon, Renasant Convention Center/Grand Ballroom
The Classic Coaches Luncheon pays tribute to the coaches of the Southern Heritage Classic, Eddie George of TSU and Alonzo Hampton of UAPB. Special guest speaker will be announced at a later date. This star-filled luncheon is by invitation only.

Saturday, September 14

Classic Tailgate 
8 a.m., Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium parking lots and Tiger Lane
A tradition like no other, the Classic Tailgate is full of friends, food and football. Information on how to reserve your tailgating spot will be available soon.

Penny Hardaway Memphis District Golf Classic 
8 a.m., Tunica National Golf & Tennis
Hit the greens at Tunica National Golf & Tennis for the Penny Hardaway Memphis District Golf Classic. Entry to this four-man scramble is $500 per team, with proceeds benefitting youth golf programs. Click here for more information.

Classic Parade 
9 a.m., Along Park Ave. from Haynes to Airways
Attend the Classic Parade, presented by the Orange Mound Community Parade Committee (OMCPC). See high school marching bands parade down the streets of Memphis in honor of the Southern Heritage Classic. Find out more at http://www.omcpc.com/.

Classic Fashions & Brunch 
11 a.m., The Guest House at Graceland
The Memphis chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. invites you to the Classic Fashions & Brunch. For ticket information, visit www.memphisncbw.org.

Classic Battle of the Bands 
11 a.m., Whitehaven High School Stadium
The best high school show bands from around the region will compete to crown the best of the best at the Classic Battle of the Bands. Don’t miss these incredible young musicians performing show-stopping routines. Tickets are $12/advance and $15/day of. For tickets and information, contact Walter Banks Jr. at 901-497-2015 or email at [email protected].

35th Southern Heritage Classic Football Game 
6 p.m., Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Round out the weekend with the start of a great football rivalry between Tennessee State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Tickets start at $23. Reserve your seats today!

AutoZone Halftime Show
Halftime, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
UAPB's Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South and TSU’s Aristocrat of Bands take the field for a halftime show you won’t want to miss.

Classic 5th Quarter
Postgame, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Once the final whistle is blown and the teams leave the field, a new competition begins. The Classic 5th Quarter battle of the bands brings another level of bragging rights.

Please check social media as you’re making plans, as all events are subject to change.

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