Football classic proceeds to fund $75,000 in scholarships

As preparations are underway for the 12th Annual Chicago Football Classic to be held Sept. 26 at Soldier Field, area churches are preparing to help fill the stadium’s seats in an effort to help build up a $75,000 scholarship fund that proceeds from

In a section dubbed “Section for Heaven,” 15,000 seats have been specifically allotted for churches throughout the city to sell for $15 each. A portion of the ticket sales – approximately $75,000 – will go to the churches to provide scholarships for youth in their congregations and communities, CFC co-founders Larry Huggins and brothers Everett and Tim Rand announced last week during a news conference at Soldier Field.

“We always encourage our young people to further their education, but to do that we also have to support them financially,” Bishop Claude Porter of Proviso M.B. Church told the Defender last week while on the sideline at Soldier Field.

Porter’s congregation will donate funds to purchase at least 200 tickets, providing at least $1,000 in scholarship money.

“Everyone doesn’t have the means to buy a ticket, so we’re coming together to make sure we help provide that experience for our young people. When it’s time to give out the money for the scholarships, our church leadership will select the students based on essays written,” the bishop said.

The Rev. Albert Tyson III of St. Stephen AME Church said during this economic crisis, this is an “opportunity for us to help send students to college.”

Many of Tyson’s family graduated from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and he jumps at every chance to stress the importance of HBCUs, and to help provide funding for students to attend. The CFC’s partnership with the churches is the “perfect union” to help with the efforts, he said.

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