FAMU and BCU vow not to play other teams in O-town

Two days after learning that Walt Disney World Resorts has decided to ends its nearly 10 year sponsorship of the Florida Classic and that Disney property ESPN had worked with the MEAC/SWAC conferences to move the Labor Day weekend MEAC/SWAC Challenge to the Orlando Citrus Bowl, the presidents of FAMU and BCU have vowed that neither school will face any other opponent in Orlando.

The announcement came the same day that both conferences were announcing the line up for 2008 MEAC/SWAC Challenge game which was to pit Jackson State against Bethune-Cookman. That game could now be in jeopardy and game officials are said to be scrambling to line up Delaware State to take BCU's place should they back out.

"While Walt Disney has decided to discontinue their relationship with the Classic as title sponsor, we hope that neither Walt Disney or any other organization would not encroach on the Florida Classic brand by bringing other HBCU teams into Orlando to replicate or to engage in activities that would diminish the Florida Classic," said FAMU and BCU in a joint statement.

Others interested in taking Disney's place

Disney's withdrawal leaves State Farm as the largest corporate sponsor of the Classic.

"Upon hearing that Walt Disney was pulling out as the title sponsor to the Classic, our office has received numerous calls from major fortune 500 companies eager to discuss the vacant title sponsorship," said Steve Hogan, Executive Director, Florida Citrus Sports, the group that has been hired by both schools to manage the game. "The Florida Classic is a powerful brand with passionate fans ready to support companies associated with the event. We believe the Classic will enjoy a new partner ready to move with the universities to the next level of excellence."