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The Armstrong vs. Walker Football Classic 1938 -1978
NOT JUST A GAME
Richmond, Virginia is rich in history and many legacies. One of these greatest legacies is the Armstrong Walker Football Classic that was born between the friendly rivalry of our beloved Armstrong High School and Maggie L. Walker High School. That dynamic rivalry became known as The Classic. Spanning 40 years, the Saturday after Thanksgiving became historic and a major community builder, with up to 40,000 spectators in attendance.
Over the past three years, our supporters/partners have been the City of Richmond, the Black History Museum Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA), Dominion Energy, Virginia Credit Union, Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union, many small businesses, Armstrong and Walker Alumni, and community friends. From this support, we have been able to fulfill our literary, charitable, and educational purposes by offering the community a parade and celebration featuring Richmond Parks and Recreation (RPR) football teams and cheerleaders; tours of, and discussions on The Classic Exhibit to Richmond Public High School students and the community at the BHMVA; awarding four college scholarships; sponsoring some RPR summer campers (2022); providing lunches to Armstrong High School (AHS) Athletics Summer Camp for Fall Sports and financially supporting AHS Athletics and RPR football and cheering programs (2022-2023); and adding the Hall of Fame (HOF) Banquet to honor former, exceptional student athletes and teams (2023). This year, with the exception of the parade, we will hold the community festivities at Armstrong High School, the educational component at the BHMVA, and a HOF Banquet.
AWFC LEGACY PROJECT
SUPPORT THE LEGACY
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We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. To successfully further our efforts, we are seeking your support and generosity through sponsorships, donations and/or in-kind services and goods. Our fundraising goal this year is to raise at least $40,000 over the next 3 months. We will use the funds to cover operating and programming expenses, such as scholarships, support to local schools, youth sports, and STEM programs. As we commemorate The Classic, we welcome others to join us. Our desire is that this project outlives us and be carried on by future generations. We are counting on community sponsors to help reach this goal. Can we count you as a part of our success?
As an official sponsor or donor, we will display your name on banners, community correspondence, our website, and/or social media outlets. Please contact us at armstrongwalkerlegacy@gmail.com. Make your donation by check to Armstrong Walker Football Classic Legacy Project, P.O Box 25849, Richmond, Virginia 23260 or via Zelle to Armstrongwalkerclassiclegacy@gmail.com.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and continued support
AWFC LEGACY PROJECT PO BOX 25849 RICHMOND VA 23260
or ZELLE TO armstrongwalkerclassiclegacy@gmail.com
OUR HISTORY
For more than 40 years, Armstrong High School and Maggie Walker High School met on the gridiron on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to play football. As the City’s only two Black high schools at the time, the event became a spirited reunion and a staple for the African American community in Richmond.
THE FIRST MEETING December 2, 1938 The first Armstrong–Maggie Walker game wasn’t even on the schedule in 1938. In fact, of the two soon-to-be rivals, only Armstrong had a schedule. Maggie Walker was in its initial year as a school, and while Coach Arthur “Stretch” Gardner was helping teach skills of the game to his young, inexperienced group, which was eager to learn, no games were planned. Practice was nothing more than preparation for the 1939 season. But two weeks before Thanksgiving, Gardner, urged by his players, approached Armstrong coach Maxie Robinson about the possibility of a game between the schools. The Wildcat staff, including Harry Williams, worked out the details, and Friday, December 2, was chosen as the date. Hovey Field, on the campus of Virginia Union University, was the site. On the afternoon of the game, the Walker squad walked down the street, and Armstrong’s Wildcats, wearing their distinctive orange and blue uniforms, traveled from Prentis and Leigh, along with between two and five thousand spectators (depending on whom you asked), to the field. Unfortunately, no one in the media was there to report the outcome. When the teams met, Armstrong had enjoyed a successful 5-2-0 season, which included a win over rival Peabody of Petersburg. Walker on the other hand, had to borrow fifteen to twenty red and white (the official school colors were green and white) uniforms from a local recreation center to field its team.
(Excerpt from the book "UNITED IN RIVALRY" by Michael Whitt 2009)
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