VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY’S CURTIS ALLEN (WEARING THE NUMBER ZERO) RUNS AWAY FROM MILES COLLEGE, IN THE TEAM’S 45-3 VICTORY, AUG. 31, 2025. (PHOTO BY MIKE PATTON)
BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL—THE TRADITION, THE PAGEANTRY, THE BANDS
In the New Pittsburgh Courier’s four consecutive years of traveling to Canton, Ohio, and covering the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, the HBCU Virginia Union University Panthers have played in the game twice.
Both times, they’ve dominated their opponent with 45-point performances.
Two years ago, in 2023, VUU crushed Morehouse College, 45-13. This year, Aug. 31, 2025, they demolished Miles College, 45-3.
The next time Virginia Union University plays in Canton, you might want to put money on the Panthers.
VUU’s Curtis Allen ran for two touchdowns, 185 yards total on 17 carries. Panthers quarterback R.J. Rosales threw for a touchdown and ran for another. Overall, the VUU offense gained 556 yards to Miles’ 249.
VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY REPRESENTIN…
Now a staple on the day before Labor Day, the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic has turned into a week full of events leading up to the game. On Aug. 28, members of the Divine Nine (Black Greek letter organizations) went to local Canton schools and gave them inspirational tips for school and for life. A college fair then ensued, featuring more than 20 colleges and universities. A job fair closed out the day.
SOME OF THE MILES COLLEGE CHEERLEADERS…(PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
On Aug. 29, a Habitat for Humanity Day of Service occurred, where people helped paint garden sheds of homes purchased by Habitat families in the area. A Clearview Golf Club Classic was held on Saturday, Aug. 30, along with a Battle of the Bands and the official plaque unveiling of the 2025 Black College Football Hall of Fame Inductees. This year’s inductees were: Henry Dyer (Grambling State University), Rashean Mathis (Bethune-Cookman University), Jacquay Nunnally (Florida A&M University), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State University), Jay “Sky” Walker (Howard University) and Coach Fred “Pop” Long (Wiley College). To close out the night, an All White Affair presented by the Divine Nine was held.
Sunday, Aug. 31, was game day. But earlier in the day, before the 4 p.m. kickoff, a Gospel Fest was held, featuring national recording artist Deitrick Haddon. A Minority Business Reception was also held.
By 4 p.m., though, there were 3,280 in attendance to watch the sixth annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, with an impassioned Battle of the Bands at halftime.
SOME OF THE VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY CHEERLEADERS…(PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
