President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed and Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Dr. James H. Ammons, in concert with the Florida Classic Consortium, announced Wednesday that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has signed on to become the title sponsor for the annual Florida Classic and the Battle of the Bands. The Consortium also announced an extension of its contract with Florida Citrus Sports that will keep the game at Orlando’s Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium for the next five years. Joined by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and President Ammons at a press conference at Florida Citrus Stadium, President Reed announced the commitment to remain in Orlando.
“We just want to say how much we appreciate the great city of Orlando and the county, for making us feel so comfortable here, for the commitment you have made to this game to make it bigger and better. Thank you very much to the mayor. Thank you to the commissioners. Thank you to all the fans and alumni for both institutions, because the competition is growing every day,” she said. “Since 1997, we’ve continued to get more and more participants, who come to a game, but it’s more than just one game; it is a full weekend of fun, a big-family reunion that is growing so that we have people as far away as New York City, Columbia, S.C., and all over the nation come to be a part of this magic and excitement of competition.”
The agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is for three years with an option to renew in years four and five. During that term, the game will be known as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Florida Classic, while the Battle will now be called Florida Blue Battle of the Bands.
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