MIAMI – Week 1 of the college football season is shaping up to be a great one in the 305 with FIU Athletics and the Invesco QQQ Orange Blossom Classic (OBC) teaming up to create One Big Community Weekend: Two Games. One Weekend. All Vibes.
 
The action kicks off Labor Day Weekend with FIU hosting Bethune-Cookman at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. before Florida A&M faces Howard on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 4 p.m. from Hard Rock Stadium.
 
To create a weekend-long celebration of South Florida community, college football and HBCU excellence, FIU and OBC officials have organized a multi-faceted campaign tailored for fans of all four teams to maximize their experience in Miami next month, including:

• Discounted tickets for both games: to purchase reduced-priced FIU vs. B-CU game tickets click here, and for OBC tickets click here and use the promo code FIUOBC25 at checkout for a cost savings.
• OBC presence as part of Panthers' F1RST NIGHT at Pitbull Stadium on Aug. 25, providing FIU students with potential internship and volunteer opportunities.
• OBC tailgate pep rally within FIU's student tailgate on the Tamiami Hall Promenade, featuring a DJ and potential drumline appearances from FIU, FAMU, B-CU and Howard.
• Alumni and dignitary engagement opportunities as part of the OBC's Commissioner's Welcome Reception & Kick-Off Luncheon at Jungle Island on Aug. 29.
• Joint content and appearances featuring Roary (FIU's mascot) and Olley (OBC's mascot).

Additionally, FIU students and fans alike will have the opportunity to attend the OBC's career recruitment fair and sports and entertainment symposium during the week of the game and then enjoy the OBC FanFest the day of the game free of charge with a game ticket.
 
The FIU-OBC connections extend to new Panthers' head coach Willie Simmons, who spent six seasons (2018-23) as the head coach of FAMU, compiling a 45-13 (.776) record and leading the Rattlers to two HBCU National Championships (2019, 2023).
 
One Big Community Weekend re-connects FAMU supporters with Simmons – who is expected to be recognized at the OBC – while bringing together the rival fanbases of FAMU and B-CU in advance of the 2025 OBC, which features the same two teams in Howard and FAMU that played in the inaugural game in 1933.
 
The OBC was retired in 1978 but returned after a 43-year hiatus in 2021 thanks in large part to FIU alumnae and OBC Executive Director Kendra Bulluck-Major. That game in 2021 pitted a Deion Sanders-led Jackson State team against Simmons' FAMU squad in a celebration of HBCUs.
 
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