BATTLE OF THE REAL HU HITS THE WINDY CITY

HAMPTON, Va. – With the 2019 football season approaching, Hampton University fans were happy to see a renewal of the “Battle of the Real HU” between the Pirates and the Bison of Howard University.  The 94th matchup will have a new twist this year as it will take place inside historic Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

As announced today, the Hampton-Howard matchup on September 14 will now take place as the Chicago Football Classic to be held inside Soldier Field.  This will mark the first time for Hampton playing in an active NFL stadium since the last time Hampton participated in the Chicago Football Classic which was a 21-20 win against Alabama A&M to start the 2011 season.

In its 23rd season, the Chicago Football Classic is a weekend long event of cultural, educational and other exhilarating activities.  A “Battle of the Bands” for area high schools, a golf tournament, pep rallies, and a college fair are among the scheduled activities.

“The Chicago Football Classic is a longstanding HBCU event that we are very excited to participate in again,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey.  “This will be a great weekend for all of our alums in the Midwest to come be a part of a prestigious classic and support our football team against Howard.”

Robert Prunty, starting his second year as head coach of the Pirates, echoes the sentiment of renewing a rivalry inside Soldier Field.  “As special of a rivalry game that Hampton-Howard is, to be able to give our players a chance to play inside Soldier Field will be a moment they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Ticket information on the game will be announced at a later date. 

For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.