Tennessee State University Athletic Director Teresa Phillips has released a tentative 2011 football schedule without the Atlanta Classic against perennial opponent FAMU."The Atlanta Classic is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and they decided to bring in another opponent to face Florida A&M," Phillips said. “We are in active negotiations to schedule an FBS or prominent FCS team to replace that game this year.” She concluded saying, “We expect to complete our schedule by the end of the month.”
The Tigers and Rattlers have played each other for twenty-eight consecutive years with FAMU holding a 26-25-1 edge in the all-time series. TSU beat FAMU 29-18 last year in Atlanta in front of a crowd of 54,202.
Phillips added, "Considering our long-standing rivalry with Florida A&M, we are looking to negotiate future home-and-home games with the Rattlers to renew and sustain our series."
According to the Tennessean newspaper: "Phillips said representatives of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, who sponsor the Atlanta Football Classic, told her TSU was not invited back was because the number of Tigers fans attending the game had dipped."
Phillips also told the newspaper that 100 Black Men of Atlanta is negotiating with Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge to serve as a replacement for TSU.