By Kevin Price For GCS Athletics College football is coming to Glynn County Stadium this fall. Albany State University and Savannah State University will square off between the bricks of the local stadium on Saturday, Sept. 23, for an HBCU showdown between the two in-state institutions. The 3 p.m. game will also be streamed live by NBC’s Peacock TV. The game represents a dream come true according to Glynn County Schools athletic director Steve Waters who has been wanting to bring a college game back to town. Several college games have been played at the local 12,000-seat stadium which got artificial turf last year on top of other recent renovations to make it all the more attractive for outside agencies looking for event venues. This game is being billed as the Coastal City Classic and will be promoted by WIE Sports. A press conference to kick off the countdown to the game was held Friday afternoon in the Athletic Center at GC Stadium which towers above the South end zone of the stadium. “To have two amazing games within a 24-hour period is gonna be incredibly exciting,” Waters said. Albany State and Savannah State will play the day after Brunswick High and Glynn Academy face off in the annual City Championship Game this season. The Coastal City Classic will involve more than the football game, however. Pregame events will take place on Friday and will include a golf outing at the King and Prince Golf Course on St. Simons Island early that morning. A coaches luncheon and media day event will take place at the Greater Works Ministries in Brunswick early that afternoon with an alumni meet and greet event set for the Brunswick Embassy Suites Hotel on Friday evening. Prior to the game on Saturday, a Greek Fest and pregame Celebrity Concert and Pep Rally will take place outside at the Glynn Place Mall at 10 a.m. There also will be time for tailgating in the lead-up to kickoff between the Tigers and the Golden Rams in mid-afternoon. “We wanted to do this game, but wanted to do something special. Everyone always looks at the big cities for HBCU classics. This is a great location, a great destination location. It has great weather, but it also has a great stadium. This a great setup for a college football game,” said Moore, who has a team that will help him organize and promote the game and its related activities. The two participating schools are also excited about the opportunity to play in this game. “We are very excited that we were invited to participate,” said Dr. Darlene Moore, associate director of athletics at Albany State. “When we come here, we’re gonna be using this event as a recruiting tool. We’re ready for the showdown at sundown. We know we’ll be victorious in the end. We accept the invitation and we’re ready to report for duty.” Robert Skinner, the interim athletic director, followed the energetic Moore at the podium and jokingly apologized for her brash statements, drawing the same chuckles from the audience that she did. “We don’t want to ruffle any feathers until we get here,” he noted. “We’re thankful to be here. This is a beautiful city. We look forward to meeting each and every one of you and understand this will be a great football classic.” Todd Devoe, an assistant coach for the Rams, told the audience a rebuilding Albany State program will be anxious to play in this game this fall to showcase a new program. “We’ll do our best to make it a Classic worth talking about,” he said. “It will give us a chance to showcase what we’re bringing to Albany State University. It will be a little different than the past, and we hope you guys enjoy the show.” Savannah State also had two representatives on hand including assistant athletic director Tina Jolley. “We’re excited for the game,” she said, humbling adding the Tigers expect to be victorious as well. “We’re gonna bring all of our fans. alumni and student-athletes and show what we’re capable of.” Savannah State head coach Aaron Kelton also spoke to those gathered on Friday. “We really are excited at Savannah State to be a part of this,” he said. “This is going to be something special. It hasn’t happened here ever, and it’s going to be the hottest ticket in town. Everybody is talking about it, and we’re going to continue to make this the best game in terms of Classics in the country. That’s the goal.” Others attending the Friday press conference included BHS head football coach Garrett Grady and GA head coach Rocky Hidalgo. Among the local media outlets present were the Brunswick News, 912 Sports and IMint Media which put the press conference on YouTube through its Continental Sports Network platform which also broadcast the GA and BHS home games this past season. City of Brunswick commissioner Kendra Rolle also spoke during the press conference as did Glynn County commissioner David Sweat. Both are excited to have these two schools and their fans coming to town this fall. Former Savannah State player Reggie Jackson, who played at Glynn Academy, was also in attendance. Tickets for the game will go on sale on May 1 at all Ticketmaster locations. Seats will be priced starting at $25. For hospitality access, tailgating and premium seats, please contact the Coastal City HBCU Classic office by email at CCCinfo@coastalcityclassic.com.