5,500 people turn out for first White Water Classic in Phenix City

PHENIX CITY, Alabama  -- Hours before the kickoff between Tuskegee University and Albany State University for the first White Water Classic, Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe said he liked what he saw with tailgaters near Garrett-Harrison Stadium.

"I'm hoping that everybody continues to come in," the mayor said just before noon Saturday. "This is something that's big for us that we can build on."

The 3 p.m. game between the two historically black colleges returned college football to Phenix City for the first time in 25 years. The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Division III national championship game, was played at the stadium from 1973-89.

Lowe and city officials garnered support to pay Tuskegee $100,000 to move its home game to the renovated stadium. With events for children and adults, the city had a total budget of $150,000 to host the Division II football game. The stadium crowd was estimated at 5,500 as Tuskegee defeated Albany State 20-12.

Dan and Lewis Alexander were among the early tailgaters who arrived in the lot for campers. The Phenix City brothers parked their huge camper when the gates opened Friday, spent the night at home and returned to fire up the barbecue grill with ribs early Saturday.

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