Dozens of fans decked in purple and gold lined up and cheered as Dallas police escorted buses from Prairie View A&M University for the State Fair Classic on Saturday. One woman jumped up and down and flickered her PVAMU fan as the handful of buses passed.
In about two hours, Prairie View and Grambling State University were scheduled to meet for their annual gridiron clash in the 101st State Fair Classic. Until then, there was time to drink and meet other fans. Outside of the Cotton Bowl, fans were dancing to Michael Jackson and mingling with their friends. Some people were first-timers at the event who were anticipating meeting other people and watching the colleges’ bands. Others showed up with generations of their family who had gone to the game between the two historically Black colleges for decades.
Briana Jones was taking a photo with her sister, mother and aunt right by the large, sculpted Prairie View and Grambling football helmets set up outside the Cotton Bowl. Her mom took her and her sister to their first game in 1999, she said, and since then, they’ve never stopped going. The annual tradition later inspired her sister to go to Prairie View and her twin brother to go to Grambling, she said. Jones was “rooting for HBCU.”
She added that the games gave her more opportunities and awareness, and it was part of why it was so important to her to keep coming.
“You have the HBCU legacy that is so important for not just adults to experience, but for the younger generation to experience,” Jones, 38, said.
The game brought in spectators from across Texas and beyond. James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for the Senate race, came onto the field at one point and waved to the crowd. Talarico is expected to face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is the Republican candidate.
Isaiah Norris, 21, and Nyla Holimon, 20, were two juniors from Prairie View who drove to Dallas Saturday morning to watch the game. They were mingling with their friends outside of the Cotton Bowl, decked out in Prairie View merch. Norris said he was looking forward to a “blowout win” for the Panthers.
“Outside of the game, we’re probably going to go ride rides, get some good food, see some friends and the Dallas vibe at night,” Norris said.
Paula Eakins, Kiara Brimmer, Kenneth Eakins and Shonda Tucker were all supporting their alma mater, Grambling. They paused to take a photo together before they headed inside. Paula estimated she’d been coming to watch the games for about 40 years.
They all loved coming to the game for different reasons. Kenneth Eakins loved the HBCU pride. Tucker liked how family-oriented the events were. Brimmer enjoyed being able to see fellow Grambling alumni that felt like family.
“Even if we’re Gram fam, we celebrate HBCUs. Period,” Tucker said.
“I think that’s what keeps us coming,” Paula Eakins added.