The NCAA celebrated football student-athletes and coaches from the Mississippi Valley Delta Devils and the North Carolina Central Eagles as part of its sponsorship of the 2023 Circle City Classic luncheon, which was held Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The teams will play in the Circle City Classic at 3 p.m. Saturday at the stadium.
In addition to its luncheon sponsorship, the NCAA also is supporting other activities this weekend highlighting historically Black colleges and universities. The NCAA will participate in the annual Circle City Classic parade in downtown Indianapolis; purchase game tickets for its staff and local schoolchildren; and have a presence at a career fair for local students.
"The legendary Circle City Classic is a historic display of HBCU pageantry that is the epitome of Black excellence," said Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. "NCAA inclusion, education and community engagement is honored to support such a signature event here in Indianapolis that celebrates student-athletes, coaches and administrators."
Circle City Classic weekend brings a heightened level of cultural awareness and athletic camaraderie to Indianapolis, where the NCAA is headquartered. The Circle City Classic luncheon featured officials from both schools, along with football fans, school alumni and local dignitaries.
Indiana Black Expo, which hosts the Circle City Classic activities each year, also named its Major Taylor Award honoree at the luncheon. This year's honoree, Steve Downing, led Indianapolis' Washington High School to an undefeated season and state championship in 1969 and starred on the Indiana basketball team that went to the 1973 Final Four. He spent two seasons playing with the Boston Celtics and is now the athletics director at Marian University in Indianapolis. The award, created in 1987 in honor of renowned Indianapolis cyclist Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor, is presented to an African American athlete, coach, athletics administrator or official who has made significant local and national contributions to youth, while also encouraging excellence in future generations. Past award recipients have included former NCAA student-athletes and some of the most celebrated figures in sports, such as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Muhammad Ali, Jerry Rice, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Tony Dungy, Tamika Catchings and Robert Mathis.
In addition to the luncheon, the weekend includes a queen coronation, praise and worship events, a college fair, a pep rally featuring both teams' cheerleaders and bands, a concert with national recording artists, Greek fraternity and sorority events, fan tailgates and the highly anticipated Battle of the Bands, which occurs at halftime.
Supporting the Circle City Classic is just one example of how the NCAA engages with diverse student-athletes, administrators and coaches. Its inclusion, education and community engagement division was a sponsor of the Black Student Athlete Summit in May. The NCAA office of inclusion also held its annual Inclusion Forum in the spring for athletic administrators and student-athletes. Additionally, the leadership development office offers career growth opportunities and programs specifically for women and ethnic minorities, including NCAA student-athletes, throughout the year.
"Having the opportunity to celebrate two NCAA historically Black college and university schools and their outstanding football student-athletes and coaches is the high point of our sponsorship of this year's Circle City Classic luncheon," said Victor Hill, associate director of NCAA community engagement.
"We hope everyone supports Classic activities this weekend, and that the student-athletes, coaches, administrators and their fans have a fantastic time at Lucas Oil Stadium and in the city."
For more information on NCAA inclusive programming and events, visit ncaa.org.
