Img 9618 Scaled E1729699521813 — The trophy that goes to the winner of the Magic City Classic each year. (The Bama Buzz)

Leaders from Alabama A&M and Alabama State gathered at the Coca-Cola United headquarters Wednesday morning to unofficially mark the beginning of Magic City Classic wee in Birmingham.

The game is officially the 83rd Magic City Classic but its the 89th total meeting between the two football teams.

“Two HBCUs have lined up to compete on the field only. Everywhere else, it is the most magnificent showing of fellowship, cooperationa and support to a community that you will ever see. It bears repeating: 83 years this has happened in our great community. So it’s not ours, it’s just our turn.”
~ Perren King, Executive Director of the McDonald’s Magic City Classic

Keep reading to see what both coaches had to say ahead of the game + see what other community leaders were also in attendance Wednesday morning.

ICYMI: Check out our ultimate guide the Magic City Classic week in Birmingham

A&M coach Connell Maynor + ASU coach Eddie Robinson Jr.

Gal6Elkxyaa1Cwn — The two school’s coaches are flanked by a pair of players from each team. (The Bama Buzz)

Before either coach took the stage, Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin took the stage to talk about the importance of this game for the city and the HBCU community. But he also took time to speak to both coaches, saying one of them is going to mad by Saturday night.

Alabama State has won this game the last two seasons, meaning coach Eddie Robinson Jr. is unbeaten during his tenure with the Hornets. But Alabama A&M still leads the all-time series with 44 wins.

“This ain’t about the SWAC East, this ain’t about a SWAC Championship. This is The Classic. We realize why we’re here and we realize everyone is here to watch a great football game.”
~ Eddie Robinson Jr., Alabama State coach

Connell Maynor currently holds a 4-2 record in the rivalry game as the Bulldogs coach, winning his first four games in the series.

“It’s a blessing. This is THE Classic… we want to win The Classic. It’s the biggest game of the season. Bragging rights for a year. Eddie had them for the last two years so Eddie, you’ve had it long enough, brother. You’re a good man, you’re a good coach but it’s time to bring it back home.”
~ Connell Maynor, Alabama A&M coach

Both teams also had a pair of players in attendance Wednesday including:

Xavier Lankford | Alabama A&M quarterback | Pelham
Cortez Andrews | Alabama A&M linebacker
DeMarkus Cunningham | Alabama State linebacker | Bessemer City
James Burgess | Alabama State defensive back | Huffman

Both teams have plenty of talent who grew up around the Birmingham area and even more who played at the high school level across the state.

Saturday’s game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30PM at Legion Field and it will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

‘This is Black excellence’

Img 9627 Scaled E1729710276954 — Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin speaks during the press conference. (The Bama Buzz)

The Magic City Classic is often referred to as the largest event for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It’s one of the oldest and longest-running HBCU rivalries on the field but it’s also one of the most attended events every year.

The deal with the City of Birmingham sends $500,000 to each university with another estimated $1 million going to the designated home team and around $300,000 to the away team each year.

“There’s something to be said about what this means to us. I’m a proud HBCU graduate myself and what I can tell you is what you all are doing, what you’re representing, what you’re putting on for, it means a lot to a lot of people. So we look forward to the next 83 years.”
~ Randall Woodfin, Birmingham mayor

Wednesday’s press conference was just a small taste of the production set in place for this weekend.

Parker High School’s band welcomed the crowd into the Coca-Cola UNITED facility and the press conference room was filled with cameras, reporters, community leaders and more.

“Looking around to see how this has changed from the first time I’ve ever been to a press conference, this is Black excellence. This is what we’re here for… Yes, you’re going to play football but Sunday when you go back to your school, those checks can help continue for the 84th or the 100th or 140th Classic that we’ll have.”
~ Dale Thornton, McDonald’s representative

Other leaders in attendance at Wednesday’s press conference included: