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Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU football D2 showcase moved to ESPNU
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Two traditional HBCU football powers are set to collide under the lights in Montgomery as Tuskegee University and Winston-Salem State University meet in the 2025 Red Tails Classic. Scheduled for Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the historic Cramton Bowl, the game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and air live on ESPNU. The matchup marks the first time these HBCU stalwarts have faced each other in five years and their first meeting in the Red Tails Classic. This will be Tuskegee's fifth straight appearance in the event, solidifying its role as the game's anchor. Head coach Aaron James enters the season with a strong cast of returners, aiming to build on the momentum from a promising 2024 campaign. For Winston-Salem State, this marks the program's debut in the Red Tails Classic. The Rams, 12-time champions of the CIAA, are coming off a 7-3 overall record and 5-2 conference finish in 2024. They become the second CIAA program to compete in the Red Tails Classic, following in the footsteps of Virginia State. Both teams boast deep traditions at the NCAA Division II level and have clashed before in postseason action-meeting in back-to-back Pioneer Bowls in 1999 and 2000. Their renewed rivalry promises to bring added intrigue to the season opener. The Red Tails Classic is more than just football-it honors the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering group of African American pilots who served in World War II. The game shines a national spotlight on HBCU culture, tradition, and excellence through football, bands, and community events. With pride, history, and bragging rights on the line, the 2025 Red Tails Classic is shaping up to be a can't-miss HBCU showcase. The post HBCU football D2 showcase moved to ESPNU appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU football classic to feature two top D2 programs
The 2025 edition of the Red Tails Classic will feature two of the most prominent HBCU football programs at the Division II level - Winston-Salem State (WSSU) and University announced its 2025 football schedule earlier this week and WSSU was listed as its opponent for the Red Tails Classic on Aug. State is coming off a 7-3 season, its best record since going 9-3 and claiming the CIAA in 2016. Tuskegee University is coming off a 5-6 season, including a loss to Johnson C. Smith in last season's Red Tails annually on Labor Day weekend, this early-season Division II HBCU matchup honors the heroic Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in U.S. history. Their bravery and skill in World War II shattered racial barriers and paved the way for future generations. The game is nationally televised, bringing well-deserved attention to HBCU athletics while educating fans on the impact of the Airmen. Beyond the field, the Red Tails Classic fosters school pride, community engagement, and historical awareness. Events surrounding the game highlight the Tuskegee Airmen's contributions, ensuring their legacy continues to inspire. WSSU and Tuskegee first met in the Pioneer Bowl in 1999 and 2000 in the Georgia Dome, with the CIAA squad taking the first game and the SIAC squad taking the other. The two programs met in the 2013 Cleveland Classic, and most recently played each other at Tuskegee back in 2019. Tuskegee, the all-time winningest program in HBCU history, has 29 SIAC has 12 CIAA titles, tied for second most among all CIAA schools behind Morgan State. The post HBCU football classic to feature two top D2 programs appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
