This historic event is a highly anticipated time for alumni to revisit and catch up, families to enjoy quality entertainment and outdoor festivities, friends and neighbors to enjoy making memories, and so much more. In addition to great times and memories, the event is getting bigger and better every year, and attendance continues to rise. The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau reported the 2015 Classic had an economic impact of more than $18 million. Attendance for last year’s event was over 63,000. Gene Hallman, whose Bruno Event Team has managed the Classic since 2000, reports 2016 has set a record high attendance of 70,813!
Taste the Feeling of Game Day during the 75th Anniversary of the nation’s largest HBCU football rivalry in the southeast … THE MAGIC CITY CLASSIC!
Prior to kick-off, Coca-Cola representatives Walter Body, Director of Multi-Cultural Marketing, Pam Cook, Media and Promotions Manager, and Vice President of Coca-Cola UNITED’s Central Region, Bo Taylor, presented a check for $77,000 to Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, President of Alabama State University and Andrew Hugine, President of Alabama A&M University President. The funds will be utilized at the discretion of each university.
Walter Body and Winston Barnes on the field at the McDonalds Magic City Classic Presented by Coca-Cola along with Mr. Eugene Okorley of Winn Dixie preparing for the Coin Toss to start the game.
And so it begins! The coin toss.
Among the events, fans enjoyed the McDonald’s Magic City Classic Parade on Saturday, October 29th, and the always-anticipated halftime show featured the Marching Maroon and White Band and the Marching Hornets.
At halftime, both university presidents honored this year’s celebrity ambassador, Ludicrus, American hip hop recording artist and actor from Atlanta, Georgia, who also served as the event’s Grand Marshall. Tickets sales for his post-game concert came in from over 30 states! Previous MCC ambassadors include Anthony Anderson, Bell Biv DeVoe, Ice Cube, Bootsy Collins, LisaRaye, Sinbad, Wendy Williams, Charles Barkley and V.
In overtime before a record-breaking crowd of 70,813, the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs leave Legion Field as the victor of the 75th Anniversary Magic City Classic!
See more photos below of the various events to taste the feeling of the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama…
