BSU and Saginaw Valley State Football Teams Prepare for More Than a Game

Step Shows and Other Events to Extol HBCU Culture

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University, ranked 6^th in the preseason NCAA Division II football polls, and Saginaw Valley State University will meet for the second time on September 6 for a contest that will carry much more meaning than the final score. The game in Saginaw, Michigan will culminate three days of events designed to highlight HBCU culture and demonstrate how institutions can collaborate to benefit students and a community.

“We as a nation are in a revolution of historical significance,” said Clyde Doughty, Bowie State’s vice president of intercollegiate athletics and recreation. “This revolution continues to evolve with the understanding and awareness of the relevancy of the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The collaboration and synergy that has developed with Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) and Bowie State University (BSU), began on the football field and has move beyond the gridiron with the establishment of a cultural awareness initiative that will illuminate the rich HBCU history when BSU visits SVSU on Sept. 10,” said Doughty.

On Thursday, September 8, “Tell Them We Are Rising," a film that examines the impact HBCUs have had on American history and culture, will be shown followed by a panel discussion. Friday’s activities will include a “step show” featuring fraternities and sororities and other traditional HBCU social activities. Saturday’s halftime show at the football game will feature Bowie State’s Symphony of Soul Marching Band.

Last year Saginaw Valley State traveled to Bowie State for the first meeting of the two schools and suffered one of the team’s four losses of the season. But first impressions go a long way and John Decker, the director of athletics at Saginaw Valley State, felt something special about the atmosphere at Bowie State and wanted to introduce some of the culture associated with HBCUs to his campus and community.

“The Saginaw Valley State University community and the surrounding community have a proud tradition of supporting diverse cultures, including on-campus events such as our intercultural Night, participation in the MLK Unity March, Great Lakes Bay Regional MLK Celebration and more,” said Decker. “For many of our students, faculty and staff, this will be a unique opportunity to learn more about these extraordinary institutions and their important role in American higher education.”

“As the oldest HBCU in the state of Maryland we are grateful for this opportunity and thankful to SVSU for their support in providing a platform in the state of Michigan to continue to educate our society on the rich history that HBCUs have had on American society,” said Doughty.

The game between Bowie State and Saginaw Valley State will begin at 6 p.m. at Wickes Stadium in Saginaw. Watch the game here.

###

About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.