(Black PR Wire) ATLANTA  Clark Atlanta University (CAU) returns to Chicago for the 20th Annual Chicago Football Classic. CAU Panthers are suiting up to play in a highly anticipated game against Grambling State University (GSU) on Saturday, September 30.

"The Chicago Football Classic is happy to announce this exciting game against two amazing teams,” says Larry Huggins, Co-Founder of the Chicago Football Classic. “Everyone is anticipating this match-up and the electrifying Battle of the Bands.”

The highly anticipated, extraordinary rivalry between the two teams is billed as a ‘must see’ attraction on Chicago’s historic Soldier Field.  Each year two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are invited to participate. CAU returns for the second straight year as the reigning champ with its’ victory over Central State in last year’s Classic.

“Being invited back to Chicago for the Football Classic is an honor,” says CAU President Dr. Ronald A. Johnson. “Our players, students, families and supporters enjoyed the friendly comradery in 2016. We are thrilled that we were able to build upon our relationship with the Classic and return for a second year.”

Second to Atlanta, Chicago sends the largest pool of applicants to CAU of other U.S. cities. “Amazing talent comes from the Windy City,” says Getchel L. Caldwell, II, Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University Relations. “Chicago students travel to Atlanta for the very education and cultural experience that our city has to offer and we welcome them with open arms.”

The game, in its 20th year, provides more than $1.7 million in scholarship money and draws thousands of sports fans, families, and high school students.

“The Football Classic is an excellent way to expose Chicago area students to higher education and the culture of HBCUs,” says CAU Chicago Alumni Chapter President Bakari Baker. “Our chapter is devoted to identifying potential students and mentoring them once they go away to school.”

Kickoff is at 3:30pm CST. Tickets can be purchased at www.cau.edu.