September 20, 2004

Contact: Fred Jones
Summitt Management Corp.
901-398-6655

Southern Heritage Classic Hits 15-Year Milestone With Its Greatest Year Ever

MEMPHIS – For its 15th year, the Southern Heritage Classic presented by FedEx (www.southernheritageclassic.com ) reached new heights in drama, excitement and community involvement.

“Not only did we have the best game ever,” said Fred Jones, founder and producer of the Classic, “but our corporate sponsors stepped up big time and the community responded as well. It was just a great event all around.”

On Saturday night, Sept. 18, the game itself was in doubt until the final eight seconds, when Tennessee State University punched into the end zone for the game-winner. The Tigers from Nashville drove 84 yards to get the upper hand on their arch-rivals from Jackson, Miss., the Jackson State University Tigers. The final score shows it: 21-20.

More than 55,000 fans jammed Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for the game, while thousands more continued their tailgate party in the parking lots and a national audience watched the game live on BET.

In addition to the game, this year’s Classic encompassed:

• The Usher and Kanye West, the hottest concert tour of the year;
• The opening of FedExForum, the hottest new arena in the nation;
• The Tom Joyner Sky Show, the top national syndicated radio show;
• The Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones Golf Classic, lead by the legendary player for the Dallas Cowboys;
• Two shows at nearby Grand Casino Tunica, with two R&B classic acts: The O’Jays and Gerald Levert

The Usher concert on Friday, Sept. 17, sold out with more than 14,000 fans helping to christen FedExForum in its first concert. The Tom Joyner Sky Show quickly filled up its seats, even at the early hour of 5 a.m., and the other Classic events, including the kick-off reception, coaches’ luncheon and the fashion brunch, were well attended.

The Classic’s corporate partners gave the Classic community-wide exposure through many promotions and addition advertising.

In addition, the charitable arm of the Classic – the Southern Heritage Foundation – gave grants amounting to $20,000 to four local nonprofit community organizations.

The Southern Heritage Classic debuted in 1990, and the football game has grown into the largest annual single-day event in Memphis.

The Classic is produced by SMC Entertainment, which can be reached via e-mail at smc@lunaweb.net.