Congressman Cohen Announces that Southern Heritage Classic will be Broadcast to Troops
“The Southern Heritage Classic is an excellent showcase for the City of Memphis,” said Congressman Cohen. “The historic rivalry between Tennessee State University and Jackson State University always produces an excellent game that excites football fans from around the South, and I am proud that American servicemen and women will have the opportunity to see all that Memphis has to offer.”
The Southern Heritage Classic, which will celebrate its 19th year this September, pits two of the largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tennessee State University and Jackson State University, against each other in an annual grudge match. The perennial sellout draws tens of thousands of fans from around the country and generates millions of dollars for the City of Memphis.
In May, Congressman Cohen contacted Corey Slutsky, Leader of the Sports and Entertainment Programming Division of the AFN to offer assistance in coordinating coverage of the game with Fox SportSouth and Southern Heritage Classic executives. Yesterday, Mr. Slutsky notified his office to say that AFN had decided to pick up the broadcast.
Southern Heritage Classic founder Fred Jones Jr. said, “If I could think of any audience that we’d most want to provide convenient access to watch the Southern Heritage Classic, it is the men and women who serve in our military. Making it possible for them to experience the Classic from almost anywhere in the world is an exciting development. Thanks to SportSouth for facilitating getting the Southern Heritage Classic added to the AFN programming schedule and to Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) for his assistance, too.”
The AFN broadcasts TV and radio to our military forces and Department of Defense outlets in 177 countries and territories, as well as on board U.S. Navy vessels. The game will also air on Fox SportSouth, a regional Fox sports network, for the second year in a row.
The Southern Heritage Classic was founded by Fred Jones, Jr., in 1990 and quickly established itself as one of the premier sporting events in Mid-South. For more information on the Southern Heritage Classic and the events and concerts taking place in conjunction with the game, please visit www.southernheritageclassic.com. For more information on the American Forces Network, please visit www.myafn.net.
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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265