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Frederick Douglass HBCU Football Classic 2024

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Football game logo with a football field in the background

Event Details

 

Baldwin Richardson Foods presents the Frederick Douglass HBCU Football Classic – Weekend of Hope on Saturday, Sept. 21. 

The game is designed to strengthen the partnership between law enforcement and the Rochester community, and offers fun for all ages.

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Get your tickets for game day 

In the main event of the weekend, the Central State University Marauders taking on the Albany State Rams in the inaugural Frederick Douglass HBCU football classic at the Rochester Community Sports Complex, 460 Oak St.  

Game Day offers a full schedule to enjoy with friends and family, including: 

  • 9 a.m. to Noon: HBCU Tailgate Party 
  • 1 p.m.: Frederick Douglass HBCU Football Classic 
  • Post-Game: Battle of the Bands 

Online ticket sales ended at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18.

Festivities begin on Friday 

Saturday isn’t the only day of fun planned for this “weekend of hope.” Look forward to a night at the ball game on Friday.

HBCU Alumni & Friends Mixer at the Rochester Red Wings Game
Innovative Field
Game Fee: $10 (Special rate for the Frederick Douglass HBCU Football Classic - Weekend of Hope)

Parade: 5:20 p.m.

Baseball Game: 6 p.m.

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Parking

Parking for the game will be accommodated at City-owned parking garages, and a shuttle will deliver attendees right to the front gates of the Rochester Community Sports Complex and tailgate party. 

Only vehicles with valid NYS handicapped parking placards will be allowed to park on-site at the stadium. On-street parking in neighborhoods near the stadium is discouraged. 

City garages on the shuttle loop are located at:

There is a $7 special event fee for parking.

Road closures

  • Smith St (W. Broad St. between N. Plymouth Ave.)
  • Oak St. (Jay St. between Smith St.)
  • Lind St. (Oak St. between Saratoga Ave.)

Local traffic only

  • Saratoga Ave. (Smith St. between Lyell Ave.)
  • Verona St. (Smith St. between Lyell Ave)

Access to Smith St. is limited to:

  • Shuttle
  • Handicapped parkers with valid NYS placard
  • Tailgate lot passes

Traffic map

Closures in red, local traffic in yellow

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Graphic for HBCU Classic road closures
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Traffic map for the 2024 HBCU Classic in Rochester.

Shuttle service map

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Map of shuttle service offered for the 2024 HBCU Classic in Rochester.

Rules and policies

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Posters with policies and rules for attending the 2024 HBCU Classic in Rochester.

Items

The following items are prohibited from bringing to the game:

  • Outside food/beverage
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Cans/glass bottles
  • Bags (not compliant with bag policy)
  • Horns/noisemakers
  • Laser pointers
  • Pets
  • Umbrellas
  • Chairs
  • Banners
  • Weapons, including firearms, knives, stun guns, pepper spray/mace, or any other item deemed dangerous but security.

Behavior

The following behavior is prohibited at the game:

  • Fighting, abusive and/or vulgar language
  • Public intoxication
  • Smoking (to include tobacco and marijuana/cannabis)
  • Use or possession of illegal drugs

Bags

Prohibited bags

  • Backpack
  • Purse
  • Camera bag
  • Binocular case
  • Fanny pack
  • Printed pattern plastic bag

Approved bags

  • 12"12"x16" clear plastic bag
  • 1 Gallon clear plastic storage bag
  • 4/5"x6.5" clutch purse
  • 3"4" clutch purse

Medical bags/diaper bags are permitted by are subject to screening and approval upon entrance.

Weekend of Hope Event Sponsors

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Logo for Wegmans.
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Logo for Advantage Federal Credit Union.
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Logo for Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
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Logo for the Rochester Red Wings.
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Logo for RG&E

 

Thank you to all of the sponsors who have made the Frederick Douglass HBCU Classic possible! 

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Logo for Camp Good Days.
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Logo for Charter Communications
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Logo for Delta Airlines
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Logo for Delta Sonic
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Logo for ESL Federal Credit Union.
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Logo for Frederick Douglass Family Intiatives.
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Logo for Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Monroe County
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Logo for the Golisano Institute.
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Logo for Graywood Companies Inc.
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Logo for Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
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Logo for L3 Harris.

 

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Logo for Mark's Pizzeria.

 

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Logo for Monroe Community College (MCC)

 

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Logo for Monroe County, New York

 

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Logo for NYS Sen. Jeremy Cooney.

 

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Logo for NOBLE

 

 
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Logo for Visions Federal Credit Union.

 

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Logo for WHEC-TV 10