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More Than a Game: The State Fair Classic Celebrates 1 0 0 Ye a r s
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Fútbol on the Fairgrounds: D a l l a s Tr i n i t y F C ’ s H i s t o r i c Match vs Club América Femenil
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Pros at Home
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Latest from the Commission
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Upcoming Events
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Vo l u n t e e r V i c t o r i e s - Re v o c r u i t R e m a t c h : T X Te c h V S A r k a n s a s
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N o r t h Te x a s G i v i n g D a y 2 0 2 5 Breaks Donation and Participation Records Across the Region
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MORE THAN A GAME :
THE STATE FAIR CLASSIC CELEBRATES 100 YEARS By: Alex Gilbert
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sport
PHOTO CREDITS: ARIAWNA TALTON
Every fall, Dallas hosts one of college football’s greatest traditions: the State Fair Classic. For 100 years, this annual clash between HBCU’s has meant far more to the community than touchdowns and trophies. It’s a family reunion, cultural celebration, and living history lesson all at once. “Classic” games in HBCU football are legendary, drawing fans, alumni, and legends back together for high-stakes rivalry and pride. Few classics have endured like this one. Since its modest 1925 beginnings, the Classic has swelled to more than 55,000 fans, ranking consistently among the nation’s top HBCU events. For Dallas, it’s an essential pillar in a rich landscape of sporting events. It’s woven with tradition, excitement, and a sense of being home. With attendees and alumni coming from around the country, the game boasts an estimated annual economic impact of $15 million. Those familiar with the State Fair Classic know the event lasts a whole week, not just the Saturday game. Festivities are booked throughout every corner of Dallas, from Cotton Bowl Stadium to hotel ballrooms and historic churches. City officials and coaches kick off the
week with a press conference, VIP receptions mixed with legends and leaders from both schools, a celebrity golf tournament, and spirited alumni galas raise scholarship funds while filling the city with pride. On Friday morning, local high school bands will fire up the Battle of the Bands, with the winners earning a coveted slot in Saturday’s pregame festivities. By noon, the fairgrounds will be packed with fans, ready to take in the excitement of the first weekend of the State Fair of Texas. Activities and performances keep Saturday packed with entertainment from first thing in the morning through the post-event concert. And, of course, there’s football. Each year’s game is memorable, but last year’s State Fair Classic was marked down for the ages. Cotton Bowl Stadium pulsed with energy as Prairie View and Grambling State battled it out on the field. Down 17-7 at halftime, Prairie View clawed back, with quarterback Jaden Johnson rushing for a fourth-quarter touchdown to tie the game. Grambling State showed its grit as well when quarterback Myles Crawley’s late-game heroics forced overtime. The game stretched through
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five thrilling extra overtimes before Prairie View won 36-34, finally seizing victory. The closeness and drive of the Prairie View and Grambling rivalry have always set this game apart. Classic games are the highlight of the HBCU football calendar, and the State Fair Classic’s magic is equal parts heroics on the field and community connection. This year’s anthem performance will feature celebrated gospel voices on stage, with Jokia delivering the national anthem and Deitrick Haddon and The State Fair Classic Mass Choir leading the performance of the Black National Anthem. Revered local clergy, including Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes, III, will offer the opening prayers.
Behind the scenes, the story of the State Fair Classic has a common theme. This historic event is as impressive as it is because of the leadership of Al Wash and his team. For fifty years, Al Wash Entertainment (ALWE) has brought energy, vision, and unforgettable experiences to Dallas through the Classic.
Mr. Wash states “The historic football clash on the field is the centerpiece, my 50 years involvement is to grow the STATE FAIR CLASSIC. It is much more than a game, it is an EVENT! The week will be a Bigger Experience for all to enjoy this 100th Year of the Classic.” Another way the State Fair Classic stands out is the story it tells about Dallas and the people who call it home. Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission, says: “In Dallas, we celebrate not only the longevity of this incredible event through Al’s work, but the positive impact it has had on our community, our residents, and our youth. The State Fair Classic is an integral part of Dallas’s sports and cultural identity, uniting people from across the state and beyond in a spirit of diversity and camaraderie.” In Dallas, the State Fair Classic is pageantry, rivalry, and nostalgia, thanks to Mr. Wash, ALWE, and the passionate fans of both historic universities. It’s a living institution. A showcase of excellence, teamwork, and belonging. From the drum lines and dance squads that electrify the stands to the countless scholarships and opportunities it inspires, the Classic is the heartbeat of football in Dallas. As the 100th year of this great event draws closer, all of Dallas is ready for the magic. The game, the memories, and the legacy will continue stronger than ever. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
M o r e T h a n a G a m e : T h e S t a t e F a i r C l a s s i c C e l e b r a t e s 1 0 0 Ye a r s | 5
FÚTBOL ON THE FAIRGROUNDS: DALLAS TRINITY FC’S HISTORIC MATCH VS CLUB AMÉRICA FEMENIL
By: Ben Harbuck
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sport
The midway hum of the State Fair, the Cotton Bowl lights glowing over Fair Park, and two teams ready to command the stage. This fall, the first-ever State Fair Clásico will bring a new kind of energy to Dallas. On October 18th, Dallas Trinity FC will take on Club América Femenil in a matchup that feels tailor-made for a city with a growing appetite for women’s sports and global soccer moments. Dallas has become a hub for women’s athletics in recent years, a reputation earned through milestones rather than marketing. The 2023 NCAA Women’s Final Four set attendance records and proved the city could host marquee women’s events at the highest level. The Dallas Wings have built a loyal following while solidifying their place in a competitive pro sports market. Now, Dallas Trinity FC has entered the picture, adding professional women’s soccer to a city that thrives on growth and diversity.
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“Hosting Club América at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas is a dream matchup that reflects the spirit of Dallas – diverse, passionate, and proud of its place on the international stage. The State Fair Clásico is more thavn a match; it’s a celebration of women’s sports, and the powerful connection between Dallas and Mexico. We can’t wait to share this moment with our fans and our city.” - Trip Neil, Dallas Trinity FC COO and Founder
Trinity’s inaugural season established them as one of the league’s most exciting new clubs. Amber Wisner, the team’s first captain, played every single minute of the campaign, anchoring the midfield with composure and grit. Up front, Allie Thornton became a breakout star, winning
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the USL Super League Golden Boot with 13 goals. Chioma Ubogagu added creativity and consistency, tallying five goals and six assists, while Hannah Davison delivered stability in defense, both earning Second Team All-League honors. Seventeen-yearold Sealey Strawn emerged as a fan favorite, scoring four goals and being named the league’s Young Player of the Year. This mix of seasoned professionals, local heroes, and rising stars helped Trinity earn respect across the league and set the tone for their second season. That momentum has carried over into the fall. Trinity currently sits at the top of the standings with 9 points, including a 2-1 victory over Spokane Zephyr, a 1-0 result against Brooklyn FC, and a 0-1 victory at Sporting JAX. The team’s early-season form has built anticipation for the Clásico, a match that will draw not just local fans but traveling supporters of Club América Femenil, one of Latin America’s most storied clubs. Hosting international friendlies like this highlights Dallas’s reputation as a worldclass sports city. Matches of this scale draw visiting fans, spotlight Dallas on an international stage, and add to the momentum behind women’s soccer in North Texas. The State Fair Clásico is another opportunity to showcase Dallas’s facilities, culture, and passion for the game to a global audience.
“Fans attending the State Fair Clásico at historic Cotton Bowl Stadium can expect an unforgettable evening that combines world-class women’s soccer with the vibrant energy of the State Fair of Texas. From the electric matchday atmosphere to the unique sights, sounds, and flavors of the Fair, this event will offer an immersive experience that reflects the cultural richness and community spirit of Dallas.” - Trip Neil, Dallas Trinity FC COO and Founder
For Trinity FC, this is an opportunity to show that their rise is more than a feelgood story. The club is helping redefine the Dallas sports landscape, giving fans a team they can rally behind while contributing to a movement that is changing the way women’s sports are seen and supported. The Clásico represents a step forward in solidifying women’s soccer as a central part of Dallas’s sports identity. When the Cotton Bowl fills with fans and the fairground lights glow over the pitch on October 18th, the State Fair Clásico will mark another milestone for soccer in Dallas. It is a matchup that reflects the city’s growing investment in women’s sports and its ability to bring together teams, cultures, and fans for events that feel bigger than a single game.
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Dallas Sports Commission Team Attends 2025 NCAA Host Symposium The Dallas Sports Commission was proud to send Andrew Dockrill, our VP and Andrew Lawrence, Director of Business Development to the NCAA Host Symposium in Indianapolis this September to learn about the NCAA, the event bid process, and how to better support collegiate championships and tournaments.
October 8
Celebrate hispanic heritage month Through sports
This Ana Barbara concert at AT&T Performing Arts Center will launch a four-day celebration of fan and media events leading up to the annual MexTour match on October 11th.
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October 11 The Mexican and Colombian National Soccer Teams face off at AT&T Stadium in an electric MexTour game that pits two of Central America’s futbol powerhouses against one another.
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October 18 Dallas Trinity FC plays one of Mexico’s best women’s teams, Club América Femenil, in the State Fair Clásico match, an international friendly championing cultural exchange and women’s sports.
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STATE FAIR CLASSIC 100TH ANNIVERSARY SEPTEMBER 27 COTTON BOWL STADIUM
NATIONAL POWER LIFTING LEAGUE - NATIONALS OCTOBER 3 - 5 CROWNE PLAZA DOWNTOWN
UDMA DANCE TEACHER RESOURCE EXPO OCTOBER 4-5 DALLAS MARKET CENTER
RED RIVER RIVALRY: TEXAS VS OKLAHOMA OCTOBER 11 COTTON BOWL STADIUM
MEXTOUR: MEXICO VS COLOMBIA OCTOBER 11 AT&T STADIUM
CCM DALLAS 200X85 HOCKEY
OCTOBER 11-13 CHILDREN’S HEALTH STARCENTERS & COMERICA CENTER
STATE FAIR CLÁSICO: DALLAS TRINITY FC VS. CLUB AMERICA FEMENIL OCTOBER 18 COTTON BOWL STADIUM
FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OCTOBER 20-25 DALLAS COLLEGE: BROOKHAVEN CAMPUS
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Register to volunteer with the Dallas Sports Commission today! Some upcoming volunteer opportunities include: •
FIFA World Cup 2026
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Firefighter Challenge World Championship
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Just Announced: REVOCRUIT REMATCH TICKETS ON SALE NOW A Texas-sized showdown comes to Dallas when Arkansas battles Texas Tech on Saturday, Dec. 13 at American Airlines Center. The two teams played an epic Sweet 16 game last season, which saw the Red Raiders stage a furious comeback before winning 85-83 in overtime. Veteran event promoter bdG Sports announced the event last week and dubbed it the “Revocruit Rematch.” Tip time is slated for 11 a.m. CT. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. For the latest information, fans can visit www.revocruitrematch.com
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Vo l u n t e e r V i c t o r i e s - R e v o c r u i t R e m a t c h : T X Te c h
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NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY 2025 BREAKS DONATION AND PARTICIPATION RECORDS ACROSS THE REGION By: Peyton Lawrence
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports
Each year, thousands of nonprofits across the DFW region participate in North Texas Giving Day, a community focused initiative that encourages local support for the area nonprofits that give back to and uplift causes from education and athletics to the arts, environment, and beyond. North Texas Giving Day has become widely known throughout the United States as a signifier of the altruism and generosity of everyday Texans, as the event has grown to become the nation’s largest regional charity giving event. Communities Foundation of Texas began North Texas Giving Day in 2009 with the goal of encouraging potential donors to find a nonprofit that supported a cause they were passionate about. Today, this looks like a database of 3,500+ nonprofits that extend across twenty North Texas counties. There are more than twenty-five cause areas represented in
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this database, so the North Texas Giving Day website provides an easy way for visitors to filter organizations by criteria such as cause, operating budget, counties served, and more. In its seventeen-year history, North Texans have collectively donated more than half a billion dollars, with nearly seventy million given in 2024 alone. 2025’s North Texas Giving Day took place on September 18th and raised more than seventy-four million dollars across a record number of participating nonprofits. 100% of each dollar donated by the 94,000+ contributors went directly to the nonprofit, as Communities Foundation of Texas and their sponsors covered all credit card transaction fees. Donors can be sure that every penny of their gift is used to support the causes that they are passionate about. Wayne White, President and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas shared his thoughts: “Thousands of nonprofits count on this day to further their
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missions. ... Collective giving transforms lives, and North Texas Giving Day makes it easy to participate.” The impact of North Texas Giving Day is not limited to twenty-four hours, however, as there were several community-focused events that took place throughout the Metroplex prior to the penultimate day. On the evening of September 6th, Kaleidoscope Park in Frisco hosted a nonprofit fair celebrating Hispanic Heritage month. September 15th had both the Downtown Dallas Day of Giving, an event co-hosted by Downtown Dallas Inc. that highlighted downtown-based organizations, and a young professional meetup that gave individuals early in their career the chance to network and build community at the Communities Foundation of Texas headquarters. Fundraising for North Texas Giving Day took place beginning in late August, and through outreach events and the vocal support of local athletes, influencers, and celebrities, the organization was able to raise both money and awareness in the time leading up to North Texas Giving Day itself. Some participating nonprofits include local sporting organizations that champion the development of youth sports, health and wellness, educational opportunities, and community outreach. To kickstart the North Texas Giving Day donation period, the Cotton Bowl Foundation surprised South Dallas-based nonprofit HOPE Farm with a $25,000 grant, bringing their total financial contributions to area nonprofits to more than four million dollars since 2016. The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation raised over seventeen thousand dollars to improve the lives of those in their
community through programming such as the Charley Pride Fellowship Program or the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy, which has served 15,000 young people since 2017. The Dallas Wings Community Foundation, another participating organization, has several initiatives that are supported by Giving Day donations such as the Breast Cancer Awareness Grant and the Tiffany Jackson Memorial Scholarship, a fund that provides a scholarship to a high-school female athlete in honor of the WNBA legend Tiffany Jackson. Though many sports-specific organizations and foundations do participate in North Texas Giving Day, the community impact is much broader, with thousands of people, animals, places, and causes feeling the direct financial impact that comes from the generosity of their friends and neighbors. This event and all the good deeds that surround it have a tangible effect on the lives and wellbeing of North Texans and the organizations that support their needs, from providing housing and nutrition support to uplifting disadvantaged or marginalized groups with programming that builds access to educational or athletic resources. Though 2025’s North Texas Giving Day has passed, most of the participating nonprofit organizations are still accepting donations. To support the Giving Day initiative directly, visit Communities Foundation of Texas at www.cftexas.org. To discover nonprofits to support, search the database at www.northtexasgivingday.org/search.
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