Golden Tigers Release 2009 Schedule

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (May 6, 2009) – The 2009 Tuskegee University Golden Tigers Football schedule was recently released by the Department of Athletics. According to Stacy Danley II, Director of Athletics, the defending Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champions are slated for 11 games.

The Golden Tigers, 10-1 in 2008, will play in three neutral site classics, three home games and five road contests, which include two other classics.  Homecoming 2009 will be celebrated on Nov. 7.  Nine games make up the required SIAC conference slate.  Two out-of-conference games are booked with Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponents.

Tuskegee travels to Columbia, S.C. on Aug. 22 to open the 2009 campaign against Benedict College at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in a conference match up.  After an open week, the Golden Tigers will face in-state conference rival Miles College at the 70,000-seat Legion Field in the Labor Day Golden Classic in Birmingham, Ala., on Sept. 6.

Tuskegee will entertain Fort Valley State University and Clark Atlanta University at home in back-to-back conference meetings at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium on Sept. 12 and Sept. 19, respectively.

The Golden Tigers will hit the road for five consecutive games before returning home on Nov. 7.  They will meet SIAC foe Kentucky State University in the 16th Annual Gateway Classic at the St. Louis Rams’ Edward Jones Dome (70,000), St. Louis, Mo., on Sept. 26; Alabama A&M University on Oct. 3 in the 26th Annual Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium (63,000), home of the Indianapolis Colts; and conference opponent Morehouse College on Oct. 10 in the 74th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic, A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus, Ga.  This will be the 99th overall battle between Tuskegee and Morehouse.

Following three consecutive classics, the Golden Tigers will have a two-week rest period to prepare for their showdown with SIAC nemesis Albany State University at the Rams’ Albany Municipal Coliseum on Oct. 24.  An Oct. 31 encounter with SIAC foe Lane in Jackson, Tenn., closes out action for the month of October.

In-state conference opponent Stillman College will serve as Homecoming guest for Tuskegee on Nov. 7. 

The regular season will end with the 86th Annual Turkey Day Classic against longtime in-state rival Alabama State at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.  The Golden Tigers and the Hornets will meet for the 96th time.

The Department of Athletics will offer “away game” individual and group travel packages that will be available for purchase by alumni and fans.  These packages will be available and posted on the athletics department Web site by June 1, 2009 (http://www.tuskegee.edu/athletics).

Tuskegee will seek its fourth consecutive conference title, 28th overall SIAC crown, and ninth HBCU National Championship.  Under Coach Willie Slater’s leadership, Tuskegee is 32-3 the last three years.  The Golden Tigers have won 26 of their last 27 games in a streak that dates back to 2006 and will be gunning for their sixth consecutive 10-plus win season.