Fountain City Classic

📍Deadline: April 18, 2025 🎓 fvsucolumbusga.org
If you know of any current high school seniors in Muscogee, Harris, Marion, Stewart, Talbot, Chattahoochee and Russell County (Phenix City) we invite you to apply for our scholarship. Please click the link 👉🏾 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGCOL3Dv0Wo0BvOi10B5GOupjHEeoBvIoe78R-cKy2Tn97qw/viewform to complete a Scholarship Application Form via Google Docs and please use your Gmail email. Thanks!

GIVEAWAY ALERT!
We’ve got FREE TICKETS to the Daddy Daughter Dance: Boots & Bling – and we want YOU to win!

WHEN: March 15, 2025 | 6:30PM-10PM
WHERE: Columbus GA Convention & Trade Center

TO ENTER:
1. Like this post
2. Tag a girl dad or daddy’s girl
3. Follow

Bonus: Share to your story & tag us for an extra entry!

Winners drop March 13th!
Let’s show up & show out in that BLING!

Applications for the 2025 Fountain City Classic Scholarship ends March 15, 2025 @ 11:59pm

In 2024, the Fountain City Classic awarded 22 scholarships to high school students. Ten students were awarded in 2023.

Midday Interview: Fountain City Classic Scholarship COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The deadline for applications to this year’s Fountain City Classic scholarships is approaching. Applications for a a community scholarship and host committee scholarshi…

is proud to announce Daphnie Johnson as our new Director of Athletics! Johnson has served as interim director since February 2024, brings extensive experience in collegiate athletics administration, compliance and student-athlete development.

Read more at bit.ly/FVSUADJohnson

Support AD Johnson and our today for our Basketball Homecoming.
💙 Women’s Game - 1 PM
💛 Men’s Game - 3:30 PM
📍 HPE Arena

Let’s pack the house and show our Wildcat pride! Get your tickets at www.WildcatTicketOffice.com or watch live [email protected] on YouTube.💙💛 !

🎓💰 Attention High School Seniors! 💰🎓
The Fountain City Classic is offering TWO incredible scholarship opportunities for students like YOU! ✨

💡 Scholarship Opportunities Include:
1️⃣ Fountain City Classic Community Scholarship
• Attend ANY accredited college/university in the continental U.S.

2️⃣ Fountain City Classic Host Committee Scholarship
• Attend Albany State University or Fort Valley State University only!

🔑 Eligibility Requirements:
✅ Reside within 100 miles of Columbus, GA
✅ Minimum GPA: 2.5
✅ SAT/ACT requirements met (check flyer!)
✅ 300-word essay
✅ In-person interview
✅ 3 reference letters

Deadline Approaching! Don’t miss out.
📲 Scan the QR code or visit fountaincityclassic.com/scholarships for more info!

Tag a senior who needs to APPLY NOW!

🎉 Black History Month Spotlight:
FCC Chairman Dean Calvin Smyre 🎉

During Black History Month, we proudly honor a living legend—Dean Calvin Smyre, Chairman of the Fountain City Classic and a true trailblazer in Georgia’s political and civic landscape.

Elected in 1974 as the youngest member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Smyre went on to serve an unprecedented 48 years, shaping policies that uplift communities and empower future leaders. His dedication to higher education, economic development, and community building has left an indelible mark on Georgia and beyond.

As the driving force behind the Fountain City Classic, he has played a pivotal role in celebrating HBCU excellence, uniting thousands in the spirit of tradition, competition, and scholarship. His unwavering leadership continues to inspire generations to strive for greatness.

Join us in celebrating Dean Calvin Smyre’s legacy—a champion of progress, leadership, and Black excellence!

https://search.app/d4AjdYC7K8zLbJDV6

Black History Month: New portrait of Rep. Calvin Smyre unveiled at Georgia State Capitol His is only the seventh portrait of an African-American to ever be displayed inside the capitol.

💙💛

Fort Valley State University Names Marlon Watson as Head Football Coach

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) is proud to announce the appointment of Marlon Watson as the head football coach of the Wildcats. A seasoned coach with a track record of success at multiple collegiate levels, Watson brings a wealth of experience in player development, defensive strategy and special teams excellence.

Over the past two seasons, Watson was a key member of the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) coaching staff, serving as the special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach. During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in PVAMU’s 2023 SWAC Western Division Championship and led improvements in multiple statistical categories, including PATs, field goals and net punting. He also helped mentor top athletes, including All-SWAC honorees and future professional players.

"We are excited to welcome Marlon Watson to the Wildcat family,” said President Paul Jones, Ph.D. “His depth of experience, leadership qualities and ability to elevate student-athletes on and off the field make him an outstanding choice to lead our football program. We look forward to seeing the energy and excellence he brings to Wildcat Nation."

Before joining PVAMU, Watson served as the defensive coordinator at Upper Iowa University in 2021, where he coached a first-team All-NSIC defensive lineman and helped the team achieve national rankings in key defensive categories. He also spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Elizabeth City State University, where he significantly improved the team’s overall defensive performance despite challenges such as no spring ball and school closures due to hurricanes. His coaching experience also includes stints at Alabama A&M University, where he developed standout players such as All-SWAC linebacker Kenny Davis and played a key role in recruiting some of the program’s most dominant athletes, including record-setting quarterback Aqeel Glass and running back Jordan Bentley.

“I look forward to seeing Coach Marlon Watson’s leadership as our head football coach. He is an outstanding and authentic man with a strong passion for developing young men,” said Interim Athletic Director Daphnie Johnson. "His track record of competitive success at the collegiate levels makes me confident that he will lead our football program to new heights. We welcome his wife Jasmine, and his children, Brayden, Brianna, and Brynleigh, to the Valley.”

Additionally, Watson has coached at Georgia Military College and Bethel University in Tennessee, where he helped lead the team to back-to-back Mid-South Conference Championships and multiple NAIA playoff appearances. His experience extends to the high school level as well, having served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Joliet West High School in Illinois, where he developed multiple All-Conference players.

Watson shared his excitement about joining FVSU and leading the Wildcats:

“Thank you to President Paul Jones, Interim Athletic Director Daphnie Johnson, and the entire search committee for the opportunity to be the head football coach. I am grateful and extremely honored for the opportunity to lead the Fort Valley State University football program. FVSU has a rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence. I look forward to serving our phenomenal student-athletes, partnering with our dedicated staff and fostering a positive relationship with our passionate community to build on that legacy.”

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Watson was a linebacker at Northern Illinois University under Head Coach Joe Novak. As a key player for the Huskies, he contributed to a program that achieved a No. 10 national ranking in 2003, securing victories over nationally ranked opponents Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State. During his collegiate career, Northern Illinois was a three-time MAC West Co-Champion (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Northern Illinois and later obtained a master’s degree in education from Bethel University in Tennessee.

A dedicated family man, Watson is married to Jasmine Watson, and together they have three children: Brayden, Brianna and Brynleigh.

A formal press conference introducing Coach Marlon Watson will be held at 11 am on Friday, February 14 at the Christine and Willie C. Jones Amphitheater. All media, fans and members of the Wildcat community are invited to attend.

Fountain City Classic Family please help us celebrate and congratulate our very own Fountain City Classic Chairman, Dean Calvin Smyre, on the unveiling of his official portrait at the Georgia State Capitol!

This remarkable artwork, created by Columbus, Georgia artist Steven T***e, is a testament to Dean Smyre's enduring legacy and service. Notably, his portrait becomes one of only seven African American portraits displayed in the State Capitol, marking a significant moment in our state's history. Thank you to State Representative Carolyn Hugley and the Columbus Georgia Delegation for leading this charge.

We celebrate this milestone and the lasting impact of Dean Smyre's contributions to our community and state.

Cufflinks and Pearls Panel Discussion 🔥🔥

To ALL our beautiful and loyal Fountain City Classic fans, tailgaters, vendors and attendees – thank you for being the heart and soul of what has become much more than a game. You are the reason that is an unforgettable tradition, bringing together not only fierce competition but also a community full of pride and unity.

Each year, you come from near and far, with unwavering support, energy, and dedication. We couldn’t ask for a better community to help us celebrate the history, excellence, and legacy of HBCU sports.

Thank you for making the Fountain City Classic a powerful experience year after year. Here’s to many more Blue and Gold Super Bowls with YOU as the true MVP!
📸Demaris Garcia
📸Markeith Horace

CuffLinks and Pearls Networking Mixer Part II 💛💙

CuffLinks and Pearls Networking Mixer💛💙

Facebook family help us give flowers 💐 to Beautiful People doing Beautiful Things!!!

On behalf of our Fountain City Classic Chairman, Dean Calvin Smyre, and Co-Chairs Saundra Ellison and Jean Lynn, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Fountain City Classic Local Host Committee for delivering an extraordinary Classic Week.

For over three months, the FCC Local Host Committee met weekly, dedicating their time, prayers, and hard work to ensure that over 15 events unfolded seamlessly across seven days.

We thank God for each of you, as none of this would be possible without your commitment and passion. Your energy and dedication brought the spirit of to life, creating unforgettable moments for our community, alumni, fans, and sponsors.

Thank you ALL for making this year truly special and for being the best part of 💫💙💛