In a major shake-up to the 2025 HBCU soccer calendar, a SWAC soccer matchup might be performed in an NFL stadium.
The Florida A&M-Mississippi Valley State recreation, initially scheduled for Oct. 4 in Itta Bena, Mississippi, will now be performed within the coronary heart of Atlanta on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The announcement was made official through the latest FAMU Nationwide Alumni Affiliation Conference in Frisco, Texas.
Angela Suggs, FAMU’s Vice President and Athletic Director, confirmed the transfer, stating, “They opted to return to FAMU, Georgia—generally known as Atlanta. So, on October 4, we received’t be in Itta Bena, Mississippi. As an alternative, we are going to face Mississippi Valley State College on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.”
“It’s their very own recreation. It was their alternative. You recognize, we, you understand, we had been set to exit to it,” she stated. “I don’t know the place we had been going to remain — Jackson, I assume. I do know we had been going to convey some folks, as a result of we journey effectively.”
The relocation marks the third consecutive yr the Rattlers will play in Atlanta, a metropolis boasting one of many largest FAMU alumni chapters within the nation. The transfer is predicted to attract a large crowd of Rattler supporters, additional cementing Atlanta’s standing as a second residence for the college’s soccer program.
FAMU’s latest historical past in Atlanta has been marked by memorable victories. In 2023, the Rattlers claimed their first Celebration Bowl title at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, edging out Howard 30-26 to safe their sixteenth Black School Nationwide Championship. Final season, FAMU narrowly defeated Norfolk State 24-23 at Middle Parc Stadium through the MEAC/SWAC Problem.
A Rematch With Added Stakes
This yr’s matchup carries additional weight for the Rattlers, who wish to avenge a surprising 24-21 defeat to the Delta Devils final season—a loss that snapped FAMU’s 23-game residence successful streak at Bragg Memorial Stadium, a run that had lasted greater than 5 years.
That win was MVSU’s lone victory in an in any other case troublesome season, because the Delta Devils completed 1-11.
Each groups enter the 2025 contest with new management and renewed ambitions. FAMU, beneath second-year head coach James Colzie III, is coming off a 7-5 marketing campaign. Mississippi Valley State, in the meantime, might be led by new head coach Terrell Buckley. Notably, each Colzie and Buckley are former Florida State cornerbacks, including an intriguing subplot to the teaching matchup.
