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Citrus Bowl and Tinker Field Aerial

Fans Get Ready For Saturday's Florida Classic At Citrus Bowl

NCAA, Habitat For Humanity Volunteers Build Home During Game

POSTED: 7:32 pm EST November 21, 2008
UPDATED: 7:41 pm EST November 21, 2008

Fans are already gathering for Saturday's Florida Classic at the Citrus Bowl.

Related Content: Florida Classic Shuttle Map (PDF)

While tens of thousands of people have made the trip to Orlando for the game, they're also keeping a close eye on how much they spend.

Vendors are setting up for the game that draws more than 60,000 fans.

The Florida Classic, between Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University, is always great for Orlando's economy. But some said they're concerned about the revenue this year.

"I know everybody's money is tight," vendor Tammy Jamison said. "I'm very concerned. They just don't have money to spend."

Other vendors said they're optimistic.

"I'm not worried, although it's not like it used to be," a vendor said.

But this Florida Classic weekend is not what it used to be, either. Volunteers got together to build a home near the Citrus Bowl for charity in the name of the Florida Classic.

"This is the first time in history to build a home, this weekend, at this site for a historically black college university football weekend," said NCAA Vice President Charlotte Westerhaus.

The NCAA has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity, with some athletes, students and volunteers all coming together.

"It's very inspirational," FAMU student and volunteer Victoria McCovery said. "We get to travel, get to see the big game, and it's just a great experience."

It's a football weekend experience that one family said she will always remember.

"For a weekend like this, for them to take time, it really means a lot," Alfreda Willingham said.

The home will be on display for all of the fans to see this weekend, and then they will move it about five minutes away for Willingham and her family to move in.

Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Citrus Bowl.

The real competition kicks off Friday night with the Battle of the Bands at 7 p.m. at the Amway Arena.


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