The Magic City Classic football game between Alabama State and Alabama A&M, held annually at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, is the largest HBCU event in the country and celebrates generations of athletic excellence, HBCU pride, school spirit, and community tradition.
In celebration of the 85th edition of the Classic, the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) is launching Pass the Gear, Equip the Future, a youth sports equipment drive designed to help remove barriers to sports participation for children across Birmingham and help those young athletes access the gear they need to play safely and confidently.
Fans, alumni, businesses, schools, and community members are invited to donate new or gently used football and sports equipment at designated collection sites leading up to the Classic and at select Classic week activations. Donations will support youth participating in Birmingham Parks & Recreation and Birmingham Youth Sports League programs.
Priority football items needed:
– Agility ladders
– Blocking pads
– Equipment bags
– Footballs
– Football cleats
– Football gloves
– Girdles and padded shorts
– Guardian caps
– Helmets (must be under seven years old with a valid NOCSAE recertification sticker)
– Integrated football pants
– Kicking tees
– Mouth guards (new only, must be in original packaging)
– Practice jerseys
– Shoulder pads
– Training cones
– Water bottles (new only)
Collection Points & Dates:
– GBCVB Visitor Center on 9th Ave & 22nd St N in Uptown – September 14 til October 31
– Legion Field Gear Drop Zone at the Magic City Classic – Saturday, October 31
Other locations & equipment need updates may be announced via GBCVB social media channels. Click here to follow along!
Questions? Please contact Tonia Whatley, GBCVB Director of Community Impact & Sports Development, at twhatley@inbirmingham.com or (205) 214-9211.
Inspired by the excitement and tradition of the Magic City Classic, the GBCVB Pass the Gear, Equip the Future program invites fans, alumni, sponsors, schools, businesses and community members to come together before and during Classic week to support the next generation of Birmingham athletes.
