Moses is senior vice president and managing director for Events DC, the District’s agency in charge of sports and entertainment. Events DC was instrumental in bringing the city’s first annual AT&T Nation’s Football Classic, set for Saturday at RFK Stadium between Howard University and Morehouse College. Football Classics feature historically black colleges and universities.
Why do they say the Classics are more than a football game?
It has elements of a college reunion in that it’s a big rivalry [match-up] typically. … They also throw in all kinds of stuff like step shows, parades, all kind of parties, … and how can I not mention the band — some people come to watch the bands and don’t even see the game. So it starts off being more than just a game.
What are some of the fun things that make this special?
If you think about it, the kids that play at these schools … these guys are playing frankly because they love the game, not because anyone’s guaranteeing them riches. If you’re one of these purists … then come out and watch a game like this. … Plus there’s a great kickoff rally Friday with [radio] host Big Tigger and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and Jermaine Dupri.
What’s D.C. getting out of the deal?
We’ll do probably 1,000 [hotel] room nights, which for early September is not a bad pick-up for this city. … I would say conservatively 10,000 to 15,000 [people] will come this weekend.
OK, spill it — who are you rooting for?
In this game? I’m rooting for the sun. I’m rooting for good weather and a great game. My wife went to Spelman [College], which is a sister school of Morehouse; I have many friends from Howard in the area. So I just want a really good game that brings people back next year.
— Liz Farmer
