Chicago Football Classic

Once again, the Chicago Football Classic returns to SOLDIER FIELD, with Mississippi Valley Start University Delt Devils taking on the Lincoln University Lions.  Tickets begin at $20.  Halftime will feature both school bands battleing for the 2026 title.    

This year's edition will host the HBCU College & Career Fair on Friday (day before game) from 9am-12:30pm in the United Club at Soldier Field.  Representatives from HBCU's around the country will be in attendance.  

Our Mission

​The Chicago Football Classic, Inc (CFC) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire African-American high school and college students through support for programs, initiatives, and events that increase awareness of opportunities to achieve educational excellence. CFC events influence students and parents to consider the rich academic and cultural opportunities offered by Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Our Beginning

​In 1997, a small local group of African American businessmen - Larry Huggins, Everett Rand, and Tim Rand formed the Chicago Football Classic (CFC) as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging African American youth to achieve their personal best in school and beyond. Our initiative empowers them to not only complete high school but also attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

African American college students are known to fare better and graduate at higher rates from HBCUs, than African American students attending mainstream colleges and universities. The group achieves these goals via several initiatives, including adopt-a-school programs and most notable, scholarships for African American students planning to attend HBCU institutions.

With a scholarship program in place, the group knew that a platform was needed for the following:

1) Showcase the talents, potential, and accomplishments of scholarship recipients as well as the benefits of attending HBCUs

2) Encourage African American students and their families to lift the bar of excellence and achievement via a vehicle involving students, their families, and the entire community. That vehicle became known as the CFC, a weekend-long itinerary of cultural, educational, and other exhilarating activities.