Dr. Ian Smith to Bring 50 Million Pound Challenge to the County’s Fifth Annual Prince George’s Classic
It all started when his father told him he couldn’t go to New York—it was a grown up trip. Michael Lynn’s dad and his friends cherished going to the
Morgan State vs. Grambling game. It was a tradition for them and when Lynn became older, he realized how valuable it was to connect great educational
institutions through sports and culture.
“My father grew up in Fairmount Heights. That’s how I came to learn Prince George’s County,” Lynn said from the press conference podium announcing the
fifth annual Prince George’s Classic. Today, he’s the head football coach at Bowie State University. He believes that the classic weekend is the county’s
opportunity to take its place in the great tradition of introducing families—especially young adults—to the value of higher education through
sports and culture.
Photo: Maurice Fitzgerald
“It’s our turn to help expose our young people to the big opportunities that events like these have to offer,” he said.
The Prince George’s Classic will offer six days of events including a golf tournament, fashion show, step show, battle of the bands and culminating
with the Bowie State football game. This year’s match up pits the Bulldogs against the Lincoln University Lions. Lincoln is reinstating its men’s
football program after a forty year absence.
The framers of the Prince George’s Classic are marketing the event’s diverse offerings as a key to its appeal. And they cite Dr. Ian Smith’s
appearance and the 50 Million Pound Challenge Walk as a symbol of the Classic’s growth after five years. Smith brings national celebrity to the
event and champions a health awareness effort that targets the African American community.
“We are growing,” says Prince George’s County Black Chamber of Commerce President Hubert “Petey” Green. “We’re improving and growing this event in
stages. Five years from now we hope to provide a program that rivals the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis and others like it in terms of attendance
and events.” Green anticipates 50-60 activities and events that will carry the name during the annual week-long program.
“We will be able to offer something for everyone’s tastes and interest,” he says. Future attractions will include a comedy show, after party events with
guest artists and other popular entertainment packages.
Prince George’s Classic President Michael Little adds the use of the National Harbor-based Westin National Hotel as further evidence of the event’s
growth. “It will be great for National Harbor and great for the Westin to host the welcome reception,” Little says. “It will be a signature event and we
believe the venue with its great décor and design will be a great opportunity to introduce this facility to more people in and around the county.”
Event planners take pride in retaining major sponsors State Farm Insurance and SouthWest Airlines. Comcast is also on board and will present the high
school Battle of the Bands. The Mall at Prince George’s will host college expos which is being marketed as the county’s most acclaimed college fair.
“The classic brings attention to Bowie State University, one of the gems of the county. It introduces people to all the programs happening there that they
may not have known before,” Little says. “it’s also an opportunity for local businesses to build their client base. The health and fitness component is
huge because there are so many health issues that impact our community at higher rates than others.”
“But the biggest plus that the Classic brings is pride in Prince George’s. We’ve seen parents who volunteered with us when their kids performed in the
battle of the bands come back again and again –even though their own kids are now in college--because they want the same experience for others. We see these
kinds of expressions of support all the time. It shows us that people are proud of who we are and what we’re trying to achieve with the Classic.”
--PGS Staff
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