The Armstrong Walker Football Classic: A missed tradition being remembered
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Some say the most awaited Virginia high school football game of the season was between 1938 and 1978 -- the Armstrong and Maggie L. Walker High School Football Classic is a missed tradition, but still remembered. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is a day some Richmonders mark on their calendars to put on their orange and blue or green and gold. “This was the weekend of the year," said Armstrong 1977 graduate Wayne Claiborne. This year marked the fourth Armstrong Walker Football Legacy Project. Alumni held a banquet and the game was a scrimmage made up of football players from several schools, but it stems from a decades old tradition. “And I don’t even think they care who wins or not, it’s just the getting together," said Armstrong 1978 graduate Jacqueline Chandler. "People come from all over town dressed up in the colors every year." The first game happened in 1938, when schools were segregated. Armstrong and Walker were the only two all Black high schools in Richmond. For them, the football games represented unity. “Oh, it was so exciting," said Walker 1976 graduate Jeffrey Washington. In 1978, Richmond schools were desegregated. But due to low enrollment, the seven public high schools were merged into three. Armstrong remained and Walker was closed, putting an end to the football classic that brought out tens of thousands of spectators. “I didn’t know how much I missed the Armstrong Walker Football Classic until it was gone," Washington said. Alumni took matters into their own hands with the Legacy Project, commemorating the game with a parade and a goal to raise $40,000 for HBCU scholarships and youth sports. “It was love," Claiborne said. "And it still remains.” Washington said even the guys he remembered tackling on the field back in the day are now his friends. “And now you get a chance to come back and see your old friends and your old teammates," Washington said. Although there wasn’t a parade this year, they’re hoping to bring it back in 2025.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Some say the most awaited Virginia high school football game of the season was between 1938 and 1978 -- the Armstrong and Maggie L. Walker High School Football Classic is a missed tradition, but still remembered.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is a day some Richmonders mark on their calendars to put on their orange and blue or green and gold.
“This was the weekend of the year," said Armstrong 1977 graduate Wayne Claiborne.
This year marked the fourth Armstrong Walker Football Legacy Project. Alumni held a banquet and the game was a scrimmage made up of football players from several schools, but it stems from a decades old tradition.
“And I don’t even think they care who wins or not, it’s just the getting together," said Armstrong 1978 graduate Jacqueline Chandler. "People come from all over town dressed up in the colors every year."
The first game happened in 1938, when schools were segregated. Armstrong and Walker were the only two all Black high schools in Richmond. For them, the football games represented unity.
“Oh, it was so exciting," said Walker 1976 graduate Jeffrey Washington.
In 1978, Richmond schools were desegregated. But due to low enrollment, the seven public high schools were merged into three. Armstrong remained and Walker was closed, putting an end to the football classic that brought out tens of thousands of spectators.
“I didn’t know how much I missed the Armstrong Walker Football Classic until it was gone," Washington said.
Alumni took matters into their own hands with the Legacy Project, commemorating the game with a parade and a goal to raise $40,000 for HBCU scholarships and youth sports.
“It was love," Claiborne said. "And it still remains.”
Washington said even the guys he remembered tackling on the field back in the day are now his friends.
“And now you get a chance to come back and see your old friends and your old teammates," Washington said.
Although there wasn’t a parade this year, they’re hoping to bring it back in 2025.
