The Alabama State University Hornets and the Grambling State University Tigers met each other head on for the first time at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile, Alabama. on Oct. 3, 2023. It is the first luncheon held for the first ever Port City Classic, where both university will compete against each other at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Both football teams along with staff and alumni sat at tables in the Ben Secour Ballroom in the hotel. The Tigers wore gray sweatsuits while the Hornets were dressed in suits. Everyone was served grilled chicken and garlic mashed potatoes with a square slice of red velvet cake.
“On behalf of the Mobile City Council, we welcome you all to Mobile, Ala,” said C.J. Small, president of the Mobile City Council. “Mobile, Alabama is more than just the birthplace and the home of Mardi Gras, Mobile is the birthplace and the home of the Port City Classic, so we invite each and every one of you to have a great time this weekend and plan on spending plenty of money here this weekend also.”
Lunch was not the only thing being served in the ballroom. To show appreciation to the Port City where the classic was going to be held, attendees were given a taste of Mardi Gras as dancers and drummers in festive costumes entered the ballroom, playing loud music and encouraging others to dance.
According to Brenda Brown Dillard, president of the Alabama State University Board of Trustees, the luncheon and the university’s involvement in the classic was due in part to the work of Napoleon Bracy, a fellow trustee.
“I am elated,” Dillard said. “This is something that we’ve been working on. Napoleon Bracy wanted the Hornets in the classic, so in working with our athletic director and the president of the university, we just made it happen. ASU just happened to be the first to play here.”
Royal Court and Escort advisor Orion Dubose is originally from Mobile, so he considers it a privilege to be here for the first Port City Classic.
“To be back in my city, to bring home that win, you know it’s Hornet Nation and we’re gonna swarm as one, and we’re gonna take the victory home,” Dubose said. “ASU is the best school in the land. Plain and simple.”
Alabama State University Student Government Association President Landon Hale also attended the event along with the rest of his cabinet.
“It’s an exciting day,” Hale said. “Last weekend I was able to attend the Magic City Classic so this is the second classic that I’ve attended. I’m just ready to see what we do on the field tomorrow.”
He continued.
“When you think about ASU there’s so much history and tradition. There’s no other place like ASU so I don’t see why there would be any other place that they would choose besides ASU to be in this classic.”
According to Kayla Edwards, the 84th Miss Alabama State University, the university was chosen because simply put, it is the university where history is made.
“It’s really a great experience to witness our football team. I can’t wait to to see them play their hearts out on Saturday,” Edwards said. “Go Alabama State! Go Hornets!”
Dorothy Brown Dixon, an ASU alum also attended the luncheon as an alumni.
“This is awesome because my husband who is now deceased is from Mobile,” Dixon said. “He was a Marching Hornet. I live here in Mobile so I’m happy to have ole mother dear right here in the Port City.”
