By Michael Kinney, The Norman Transcript
DALLAS — It has long been known as the baby brother to the Red River rivalry. Taking place the week before Oklahoma and Texas butt heads, the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic doesn’t get near the attention of its Division I brethren.
However, when the SWAC’s Grambling State and Prairie View A&M meet at the Texas State Fair, the atmosphere is beyond that of a single football game.
“If you are trying to reach more than one market, which we are, we want to be as diverse in our entertainment as we can be,” said Cotton Bowl Stadium manager Roland Rainey. “The Southwest Airlines Classic averages around 60,000. The difference being that there is such a huge rivalry with Texas-Oklahoma … Most of the coaches and teachers in this area came from Grambling and Prairie View. This is more of a homecoming.”
The event
Even though it doesn’t come with the national fanfare of the Red River rivalry or the consequence of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, the State Fair Classic is still an integral part of the stadium’s annual schedule.
“The State Fair Classic is ranked within the top three in attendance in all Classic games in the nation,” Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said. “Additionally, it is the largest African-American sports gathering in Texas, attracting an average of 60,000 attendees.”
The capacity crowd that attended last Saturday was the first group to make use of the “new” Cotton Bowl after millions of dollars went into renovations this year. Finishing touches took place all the way up until game time.
Grambling and Prairie View have played each other 59 times, with the Tigers leading the series 45-14. That includes this season’s 17-14 triumph, Grambling’s 20th straight victory in the series.
The thing about the event, though, is the outcome is really secondary.
“The State Fair Classic has become a highly anticipated gathering that includes much more than a football game,” Prairie View President George Wright said. “This Cotton Bowl game represents a tremendous opportunity to continue camaraderie and connection.”
One of the elements that makes the Classic stand out when compared to other traditional rivalries is the half-time battle of the bands. For many of the fans, the band battle is the real main event.
The coach
Without one man, the State Fair Classic would never have taken its place as a highly anticipated sporting event. Former Grambling coach, the late Eddie Robinson, winner of 408 games, almost single-handedly. brought prominence and prestige to the Classic.
Robinson died earlier this year at 88. He coached Grambling for 57 years and started bringing his Tigers to the Cotton Bowl 35 years ago. He coached his final game in the stadium Oct. 4, 1997. But his legacy lives on.
“I know everyone in the stadium was a big fan of coach Robinson,” Leppert said. “He took the four hour trip to Dallas for this game with Mrs. (Doris) Robinson by his side. He had an enormous impact.”
Leppert presented Doris Robinson with an award during Saturday’s pregame show honoring her husband. She was escorted by former Super Bowl MVP and Grambling player, then coach Doug Williams.
“This is where it all started for me,” Williams said. “Right here in this stadium.”
DALLAS — It has long been known as the baby brother to the Red River rivalry. Taking place the week before Oklahoma and Texas butt heads, the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic doesn’t get near the attention of its Division I brethren.
However, when the SWAC’s Grambling State and Prairie View A&M meet at the Texas State Fair, the atmosphere is beyond that of a single football game.
“If you are trying to reach more than one market, which we are, we want to be as diverse in our entertainment as we can be,” said Cotton Bowl Stadium manager Roland Rainey. “The Southwest Airlines Classic averages around 60,000. The difference being that there is such a huge rivalry with Texas-Oklahoma … Most of the coaches and teachers in this area came from Grambling and Prairie View. This is more of a homecoming.”
The event
Even though it doesn’t come with the national fanfare of the Red River rivalry or the consequence of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, the State Fair Classic is still an integral part of the stadium’s annual schedule.
“The State Fair Classic is ranked within the top three in attendance in all Classic games in the nation,” Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said. “Additionally, it is the largest African-American sports gathering in Texas, attracting an average of 60,000 attendees.”
The capacity crowd that attended last Saturday was the first group to make use of the “new” Cotton Bowl after millions of dollars went into renovations this year. Finishing touches took place all the way up until game time.
Grambling and Prairie View have played each other 59 times, with the Tigers leading the series 45-14. That includes this season’s 17-14 triumph, Grambling’s 20th straight victory in the series.
The thing about the event, though, is the outcome is really secondary.
“The State Fair Classic has become a highly anticipated gathering that includes much more than a football game,” Prairie View President George Wright said. “This Cotton Bowl game represents a tremendous opportunity to continue camaraderie and connection.”
One of the elements that makes the Classic stand out when compared to other traditional rivalries is the half-time battle of the bands. For many of the fans, the band battle is the real main event.
The coach
Without one man, the State Fair Classic would never have taken its place as a highly anticipated sporting event. Former Grambling coach, the late Eddie Robinson, winner of 408 games, almost single-handedly. brought prominence and prestige to the Classic.
Robinson died earlier this year at 88. He coached Grambling for 57 years and started bringing his Tigers to the Cotton Bowl 35 years ago. He coached his final game in the stadium Oct. 4, 1997. But his legacy lives on.
“I know everyone in the stadium was a big fan of coach Robinson,” Leppert said. “He took the four hour trip to Dallas for this game with Mrs. (Doris) Robinson by his side. He had an enormous impact.”
Leppert presented Doris Robinson with an award during Saturday’s pregame show honoring her husband. She was escorted by former Super Bowl MVP and Grambling player, then coach Doug Williams.
“This is where it all started for me,” Williams said. “Right here in this stadium.”
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