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Classic moves from FedEx to Bowie State

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Organizers announced Wednesday morning that Bowie State University would play host to North Carolina Central University in the third annual Prince George’s Classic college football game. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 30 at Bowie State’s Bulldogs Stadium.

The Classic was held at FedEx Field in Landover its first two years, featuring a game involving Division I-AA teams. Bowie State and North Carolina Central are both Division II schools. The decision to move the game from FedEx Field largely was motivated by poor financial showings in the event’s first two years. Inclement weather on the days of both games significantly reduced walk-up ticket sales, organizers said.

Bulldog Stadium holds about 3,000, and plans are in the works to add temporary seating that will increase the capacity to 12,000 for the Classic.

‘‘We’re expecting a big turnout for the Classic,” said Prince George’s Black Chamber of Commerce President Petey Green. ‘‘We’re going to add 8,000 temporary seats for the game. The Redskins have left the door wide open for us to come back next year and the year after that. We were just not in a position financially to lose money on this game three years in a row.”

North Carolina Central rallied from a 17-0 halftime deficit to defeat Bowie State, 26-23, in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship game last December. The Falcons, who have won 14 of the last 19 meetings with the Bulldogs, are ranked third nationally among Division II teams by Street & Smith Magazine.

Many of Bowie State’s returning players graduated from county high schools. Among the more notable players are Rashad Henry (Flowers), Nathaniel Queen (Fairmont Heights), Darron Ellis (McNamara), Bobby Rountree (DuVal), Antonio Carter (Suitland), Ernest Nyarko (Northwestern), Josh Grotte (Bowie) and Derrick Birdsong (DeMatha).

While the vast majority of the Falcons hail from North Carolina, several graduated from county schools. Fort Washington native Randall Steiner (McNamara), sophomore linebacker Troy Kent (Surrattsville) and junior William Lewis (Suitland) will each take part in a homecoming of sorts.

Several other events are scheduled in conjunction with the Classic. A high school battle of the bands will be held Sept. 29 at the University of Maryland’s Comcast Center. The event will include marching bands from schools in Prince George’s County, Baltimore and the District.

The Black College Showcase college fair is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover. A fashion show will be held that morning at the Greenbelt Mariott. The halftime show at the game will feature the bands from Bowie State and North Carolina Central. A comedy show will be presented that night at the Warner Theatre in the District.