What began as a casual conversation between college buddies has turned into the next big thing in college football for Dallas. The inaugural Dallas Lonestar Classic presented by Sam’s Club is coming to the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, November 29, and we have Kason Branch and Antonio Everette to thank for that.
“Honestly, we were coming from the golf course talking about how it would be nice if another exciting black college football game were in Dallas so that more people could have the Black college experience,” said Everette explaining the genesis of the match up of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Texas Southern University this fall. “From there, our minds just started working.”
Branch and Everette, who both have Marketing Degrees from UAPB, are unapologetic black college football fans. From young boys attending games with their families to the games they saw as college students, they’ve seen their fair share of other historically Black colleges going at it on the gridiron.
Both are now settled in Dallas and miles away from any of the HBCUs with football programs. So they decided to bring one here.
“It was challenging at best,” says Branch of their initial efforts to bring a game to the historic Cotton Bowl.
After convincing the colleges to participate, they had to convince the City of Dallas to take a chance on another Black college football game. The annual Grambling-Prairie View contest held during the State Fair of Texas has drawn thousands of fans since its inception. Branch, Everette and other supporters are confident that Dallas can support two of these games especially since they are two months apart.
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“This city can support two games, and we’re going to make sure of it,” Dallas councilman Dwaine Caraway said at the press conference announcing the Dallas Lonestar Classic.
Caraway, a TSU alum, was among the many who offered guidance and support to Branch and Everette as they worked to get the idea going. Council members Tennell Atkins, Carolyn Davis, and Vonceil Jones Hill also provided assistance from their offices.
Branch and Everette also met local consultant Kathy Nealy at a Gala in the spring. She was excited about their desire to do something for the community and her firm came on as the Public Relations Consultant.
“Ms. Nealy has been instrumental in our success and this event would not be at this stage without her help” says Branch.
“It was more than a team effort. It was like a community effort to get this game going,” said Everette.
After months of red tape and negotiations to work out the details, the duo proved to be successful and is now promoting the Dallas Lonestar Classic presented by Sam’s Club as a new Thanksgiving tradition.
Branch is hoping that fans traveling into Dallas hit the malls on Friday and head to the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. In order to expand the audience, Branch and Everette are planning a weekend of activities in addition to the football game.
Before the game on Saturday, an HBCU college and job fair will be held at the Tower Building in Fair Park. Branch and Everette called on the Dallas Metroplex Council of Black Alumni Associations to assist with the event, which will include more than 20 HBCUs hoping to recruit some of the area’s high school seniors to their respective campuses.
“Attending a Black college is a special thing. Our goal is to promote unity and increase attendance at all HBCUs,” said Everette.
An official pregame tailgate party hosted by radio stations 97.9 “The Beat” and 94.5 “K-Soul” will be held in the Cotton Bowl Plaza as fans begin arriving. Entertainment for the tailgate will include various step teams and a drumline battle between both colleges.
“For people who’ve never been to a black college football game, it’s going to be quite an experience,” said Branch.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and at each of the colleges.