By Storm Can’t Stop the 40th Labor Day Classic in Houston
A late-summer thunderstorm may have pushed kickoff back more than an hour, but not even lightning could dim the energy at this year’s Labor Day Classic, the 40th annual matchup between Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M.
The game, played Saturday evening at Shell Stadium in Houston’s East Downtown, drew maroon- and purple-clad fans eager to see which school would hold bragging rights for the year.
Since its inaugural game in the Astrodome in 1985, the Labor Day Classic has become a cornerstone of HBCU football and culture in Texas. While Prairie View has dominated the rivalry in recent years — winning 17 of the last 21 contests — Texas Southern took the trophy in 2024 under new head coach Cris Dishman.
This year’s game lived up to the hype, with Prairie View edging out Texas Southern in a nail-biter, 22–21.
But the Classic is about far more than football. The week leading up to the game included events designed to celebrate and support both universities, such as a Sneaker Ball, golf tournament, and marching band showcase.
“The Labor Day Classic offers our student-athletes an opportunity to perform at the highest level while also embracing the traditions that make the HBCU experience so impactful,” said Dr. Frazier Wilson, chairman of the TSU Foundation Board of Trustees.
Generations of families with ties to both schools also make the rivalry a personal one. For some, the game decides bragging rights at home for the year. For others, it’s a chance to reconnect with alumni networks over barbecue and tailgates outside the stadium.
For 40 years, the Labor Day Classic has stood as both a fierce athletic rivalry and a celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, a tradition that shows no sign of slowing down.
