INDIANAPOLIS — The Circle City Classic and tradition go hand in hand, and there's been plenty of it since the game's early years.
Since 1984, Indiana Black Expo has hosted the annual football game, making it one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities games in the country.
It's a walk down memory lane for IBE President and CEO Alice Watson. She's served the organization for the last 13 years.
"We went into the archives and we pulled out some old pictures," she said, sharing how organizers have been reflecting as they gear up for yet another eventful Classic week.
"We've got Jerry Rice who is one of the first to participate with Mississippi Valley," Watson said. "So we've just been reminiscing this year so it's just been really special."
Yes, Hall of Fame wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice was a wide receiver for Mississippi Valley State at the time, bringing home the first Circle City Classic trophy against Grambling State University.
"Just seeing old pictures and documents, (of) Reverend Charles Williams, who was the founder, seeing pictures of him with some of the celebrities, some of the bands," Watson said.
Williams, who died in 2004, patterned what became one of Indy's biggest weekends after the Bayou Classic held in New Orleans. Indianapolis added its own flavor.
"The intent was to expose youth here in the Midwest to HBCU universities and also post- secondary opportunity," Watson said.
Like that first year, the game is still accompanied by events centered around higher education and college and career readiness, like this year's Education Day.
The Circle City Classic was one of only a handful of similar HBCU showcases at the time — a lot has changed since then.
"There are now more than 25 other classics around the country and that doesn't even include homecoming celebrations," said Watson.
The location has changed, too. The Hoosier Dome hosted the football game from 1984 to 2007, and while the stadium may have changed its name to the RCA Dome, the crowds were constant.
"It had a capacity of 56,000-plus, and we were one of the first to move into this facility, Lucas Oil Stadium, which is a capacity of 70,000. It actually filled the stadium with the first inaugural games for HBCUs," said Watson. "That was in 2008, and while the crowds have fluctuated over the years, the Circle City Classic still calls Lucas Oil home. That's something worth celebrating.
"We're still here and after 40 years continuing to celebrate. I think that's a big deal."
The whole city is playing host to plenty of events leading up to Saturday's game between North Carolina Central University and Norfolk State University. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.