By Terry Allen
The 101st State Fair Classic once again demonstrated why the annual gathering at the historic Cotton Bowl is much more than a football game. It is an experience rooted in culture, tradition, education, community and Black excellence.
More than 42,000 fans gathered for the historic matchup between Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University, filling Fair Park with the sights, sounds and spirit that have made the State Fair Classic a signature HBCU tradition.
From the pregame festivities and football competition to the marching bands, entertainment, fellowship and celebrated Fifth Quarter experience, the weekend brought together alumni, students, families, community leaders and HBCU supporters from across generations.
“This was culture. This was tradition. This was Black excellence on full display,” said Terry Allen, who worked in media and communications during the event. “I had the opportunity to help tell the story of the State Fair Classic, but I also made sure I stopped long enough to experience the people, the energy and the significance of the moment. Some events you attend. Others you experience. The State Fair Classic is an experience.”
Prairie View A&M earned a 21–14 victory over Grambling State in a hard-fought contest, but the impact of the Classic extended well beyond the final score.
For more than a century, the State Fair Classic tradition has provided a national stage for HBCU athletics, marching bands, students, alumni and culture while bringing thousands of visitors together in Dallas and Fair Park.
The weekend served as another reminder of the enduring importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the traditions that connect generations.
“The game ends. The bands stop playing. But the culture keeps marching,” Allen said. “That is what makes the State Fair Classic special. The final score goes into the record book, but the experience, relationships and traditions continue long after everyone leaves the Cotton Bowl.”
The 101st State Fair Classic was more than another chapter in a historic football rivalry. It was a celebration of HBCU pride, community and a cultural legacy that continues to move forward from one generation to the next.
