The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the City of Birmingham and the Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the continuation of the SIAC Hall of Fame and the inaugural Hall of Fame Classic scheduled for September 27, 2008.  The Hall of Fame football game will feature Albany State University vs. Benedict College in Legion Field for the first contest and will continue on the last Saturday in September.  The City of Birmingham and the Convention and Visitors Bureau recently won a bid to host the classic for three years: 2008 – 2010.  A press conference is scheduled for March 4, 2008 at 3:00 pm at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame to announce this historic event.

Dr. William E. Lide, Commissioner of the SIAC, said “The Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame classic is a major event for us.  I consider this to be part of this administrations legacy and contribution to the SIAC, just as we do the Basketball Tournament, Pioneer Bowl, Celebrity Golf Tournament and reinstating the SIAC Golf Championship.  It is critically important that we recognize past contributors to our history that make the present and future of the SIAC possible.  Many thanks are in order to our new Hall of Fame Committee that is working diligently to ensure the events surrounding the Classic and the Hall of Fame will be a spectacle for years to come. ”

“We are very excited to be the host city for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Hall of Fame Classic Football Game.  We can offer the very best in Southern hospitality, great accommodations, and wonderful food and, of course, we are the Football Capital of the South!” Tonia Whatley, National Sports Marketing Sales Manager of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau expressed.

A news conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 3:00 pm at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.  Those in attendance will include Mayor Larry Langford, Councilman Steven Hoyt, Albany State University Athletic Director Dr. Joshua Murfree, Benedict College Athletic Director Willie Washington, Members of the SIAC Hall of Fame Committee and Dr. William E. Lide, SIAC Commissioner.  All media and fans are welcome to attend.  For further information, please contact Harry “Trae” Stinson III, Director of Communications for the SIAC, at 404-606-8095 or Tonia Whatley, National Sports Marketing Sales Manager of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, at 800-458-8085.

The SIAC established the SIAC Hall of Fame in 1992 and inducted members until 1999.  Members of this illustrious group include John Stallworth, Cleve Abbot, Alonzo “Jake” Gaither, Dr. Leroy T. Walker, Althea Gibson, Alice Coachman, and many more.  For a complete listing of current inductees please visit www.thesiac.com.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 9:39 pm and is filed under Football, SIAC News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.