http://commemorativeclassic.com

A 119-year-old historic rivalry began the authentic Black College Football Phenomenon. On December 27, 1892 Biddle Institute (Johnson C. Smith University) traveled to Livingstone College’s Old Delta Grove campus in Salisbury, North Carolina. Though there was snow on the ground and it was only two days after Christmas, the teams forged their way to a historic moment in sports while writers recorded the results. A writer in the 1930 yearbook of Livingstone College provided a glimpse of that December experience.

According to historian T. M. Martin, the men of Biddle spent two years studying the sport of football. In 1892, they challenged the men of Livingstone, whose team was formally organized in the fall of that year.

It is doubtful that when Biddle University and Livingstone College teed it up on December 27, 1892, in what was described as little more than a cow pasture, either team had the slightest inkling of the legacy they were about to give birth. Games of monumental historical significance, coaches of legendary proportions and players of extraordinary brilliance ultimately emerged from what was to become known as the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The teams played two 45-minute halves on Livingstone’s front lawn. W. J. Trent scored Livingstone’s only touchdown on a fumble recovery. By then, snow covered the field’s markings and Biddle argued that the fumble was recovered out of bounds. The official ruled in Biddle’s favor, allowing them to keep the 5-0 lead that they established early on, giving JCSU the historic 1st victory!

And the rivalry continues…