Stillman football worth supporting

City elected officials are actively endorsing the Gateway Classic Kickoff, an initiative to support the Stillman College football team’s Sept. 27 game in St. Louis, Mo., against Kentucky State.

Stillman has made a strong impression on the football world since it revived its program in 1999. Now considered a power in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Tigers opened their season in fine form, defeating Miles 38-12 in Birmingham on Aug. 31.

The team already has won two previous games in St. Louis, most recently with a 23-19 defeat of Langston in the 2007 Gateway Classic. It hopes to cement its standing in the “Gateway City” with another strong showing this month.

More than gridiron pride is on the line. Like other small schools that have revived football, Stillman has benefited from increased enrollment. When it won last year’s Gateway Classic, Stillman officials were able to promote the school in a major metropolitan area outside of the Deep South. A.A. Moore, Stillman’s public relations director, said students from Missouri enrolled this fall at the Tuscaloosa college.

There’s also an element of good will involved. Curtis Campbell, Stillman’s director of athletics, said participation in the classic obliges the school to sell $120,000 worth of tickets.

He said Stillman officials plan to seek tax-deductible donations from businesses, corporations and individuals.

The tickets then would be distributed free to low-income students in St. Louis. A contribution of $3,000 would purchase 100 tickets, Campbell said.

The experience provides “all the excitement of a postseason bowl game” for Stillman’s players, dance line, band and cheerleaders, he said. For college officials, it’s an important opportunity to extend Stillman’s outreach.

And for our community, the Gateway Classic Kickoff seems to be an effort well worth supporting.