Southern Heritage Classic 2023

This year’s Southern Heritage Classic will take place on September 9, 2023 between the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff vs Tennessee State University.

Here are some facts and stats about the Southern Heritage Classic:

• Founded in 1990 by Fred Jones, the game is held in Memphis, TN, roughly 200 miles from both Pine Bluff, Ark and Nashville, TN, to form the ideal neutral-site venue

• Since 1990, 31 Classics have been contested - except 2018 (lighting) and 2020 (COVID-19)

• Combined attendance of the 31 Classics is 1,406,487 with a high of 61,171 in 1997; every Classic since 2022 has surpassed 42,000 fans, making it one of the most successful HBCU “Classics” in the country

• Arkansas-Pine Bluff will be making its first appearance in the 2023 Classic after signing a two-year contract

• The Golden Lions are members of the SWAC, continuing the tradition of TSU (of the Ohio Valley Conference) playing a SWAC team every year

• Tennessee State has competed in all 31 Classic games, posting a 17-14 record

• The last meeting between UAPB and TSU came in 2019, when the Golden Lions won, 37-31 in Nashville; TSU leads the all-time series, 4-1, with matchups dating back to 1944

• In the 2022 Classic, Jackson State prevailed over TSU, 16-3, before 51,351 fans as JSU freshman PK Alejandro Mata earned MVP honors with three field goals made

• In 2022, YouTube live streaming yielded viewership of over 146,000 fans, plus thousands more on other social media

• Since 1990, a combined payout of over $14 million has been earned by the participating schools

• 53 players who competed in the Classic have gone on to the NFL; with 4 first-round draft picks (Lester Holmes in 1993; Sylvester Morris and Rashard Anderson in 2000; and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in 2008)

For more information about this event go to Southern Heritage Classic.