By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
       The Florida Blue Cross Blue Shield sponsored Classic football game featuring the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats versus the Florida A&M University Rattlers has become a tradition, a must attend event for our Westside Gazette family for many years as we have seen  babies become young adults over the past twenty years. Initially, a requisite was renting two residences to house all comfortably. For the very first time, everyone in attendance was situated in one house, a nine bedroom home with a pool, game room and adequate hotel style parking. All adults share financial obligations which coordinators have found more affordable than hotel accommodations for individual families. Trust me when I say that everyone in our group doesnât attend the game, really the only reason I go. Honestly, thatâs okay because there is something for all in this tourist-driven evolving metropolis, including the ladiesâ favorite past time, shopping.
The game itself was awesome and competitive, although for the very first time I found myself in the end zone next to the âMarching 100â. After experiencing a two game skid, first year head coach James Colzie needed this win badly to quiet the naysayers. The Wildcats didnât make it easy, losing a hard fought exciting, entertaining battle to the Rattlers 41-38. The BC-U football  future appears promising under first year coach and Wildcat alum Raymond Woodie, Jr. FAMU running back Thad Franklin Jr., voted game MVP,  led the Rattlers with a spectacular performance, rushing for 195 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries, including a momentum-shifting 70-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Though my daughter attended FAMU and we have a freshman, Ben Joseph, Jr. there now, my allegiance is impartial as anyone who knows me is aware of my passion for the game and everything associated with college football. Suffice it to say that  both bands were excellent with no clear winner from my perch. Because BC-U was the designated home school, they struck a riveting blow utilizing the electronic scoreboard, referring to FAMU as SCAMU. That turned a lot of heads.
The game attendance hovered near 57,000 though it appeared that there were as many outside the stadium as in. One thing weâve known for a long time: everyone doesnât come strictly for the game. But thatâs okay and is probably what makes the Classic priority one.
Well, now itâs on to Montgomery where Sonia and I will spend Thanksgiving as spectators and participants in the very best HBCU Thanksgiving Parade, then head over to Alabama State University to watch our Tuskegee Golden Tigers compete against our hated rivals, the Alabama State University Hornets. Whether you are a HBCU graduate or not, adopt an Historically Black College and support them in every conceivable way.
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving and God bless you all.
