LaShawn Long said the trip was enjoyable: "We travel to all the games, and we always have a lot of fun on the bus. We listen to music and talk about our different experiences at Alabama State and what we're doing now." The camaraderie among the fans highlighted the importance of community and tradition in attending games, reflecting a deep-rooted connection to their alma mater.
"For the first time in the Classic's history, Florida A&M was not one of the teams playing Sunday," highlighting a significant change in the event's context. The game was less attended compared to previous years, emphasizing the shifting dynamics in HBCU football fandom and the impact of coaching transitions on fan engagement.
Despite the weather causing a dampened Fan Fest, fans from both universities remained passionate, as Amber Lyons stated: "We were really excited to come." This excitement and dedication illustrate the continued support fans have for their programs, regardless of changing circumstances around the event.
The game atmosphere differed greatly from the past few seasons, as the article notes: "the crowd of ASU fans clad in black and gold and NCCU fans in maroon and gray was boisterous, but it was a stark contrast to the atmosphere during the 2021 and 2022 seasons when about 36,000 and 40,000 fans attended." This comparison underscores the decline in attendance and engagement at the Orange Blossom Classic.
#hbcu-football #orange-blossom-classic #fan-experience #alabama-state-university #north-carolina-central-university
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