The Detroit Football Classic: Strictly Black Business

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — September 7th, 2004

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The Detroit Football Classic: Strictly Black Business

Ask any fan, when it comes down to game time, it's all about the paraphernalia. Whether it's those who collect as a piece of memorabilia or those who are representing their team, they have to have the right gear.

 

There was no Nike, no Reebok and no Adidas; at the Detroit Football Classic with two historically black schools, it was all about the black-owned business. 

 

"We're the official apparel and promotions supplier for the DFC," said Linda Haithcox, Vice President for Corporate and Political Affairs for the Romar Group, a Los Angeles based and black-owned apparel manufacturer. 

 

Established in 1994 by California native Don Polk, the Romar Group is now ranked number 38 on the Black Enterprise's top 100. 

 

Aside from being corporately recognized, Detroit and the HBCU community fully accepted the Romar apparel. From t-shirts and jerseys to posters and pennants, the Romar group had everything a fan needed to be equipped for the classic. 

 

"For the DSC, we had eight t-shirt design commemorating this event," Haithcox said. 

 

For those who didn't have a chance to make the classic in Detroit, all the products are available on the Romar Group website, www.romargroup.com under the DSC link.

 

Those who were in Detroit knew exactly where to buy Howard and Alabama State gear.

 

The Romar team arrived in Detroit last Tuesday and set up shop on the fourth floor of the Renaissance Building in the Michelangelo Ballroom. The busiest time was Friday night and Saturday morning as people came in looking to buy.

 

"DFC represents more than just a game," Haithcox explained. "It's about supporting the schools, the student, the community and proving that African-American teamwork does exist."

 

With majority of the team moving to Comerica Park for the Pre-Game Tail-Gate Party, Haithcox was left to hold down the fort. She stayed behind not only to properly equip late fans, but she was expecting an important shipment.

 

"At the inaugural game last year, Polk made a promise of a special gift to Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, City Council Member Lonnie Bates and DSC primary investors Robert Porcher and Frank Taylor," Haithcox said.

 

That promise manifested at 10:45 a.m. on game day. Inside the shipment were four personalized and customized DFC jackets. Each jacket had their respective recipients name on the inside and "Detroit Football Classic" embroidered down the left sleeve. 

 

"The jackets symbolized Romar's commitment to the DFC and all of their supporters," Haithcox said.

 

Haithcox made it to the Ford Field 30 minutes before kickoff and it was a race to personally deliver the jackets into the hands of the owners. 

 

Both Porcher and Taylor were on the field doing pre-game interviews. Haithcox made her way from Gate G, through the stadium, down the tunnel and on the field. Just as Alabama State kicked off to Howard, Haithcox handed the jackets to Porcher and Taylor. 

 

Those were easy, Mayor Kilpatrick and Councilman Bates proved to be a challenge. Security personnel lead Haithcox around the entire stadium, but it was a security officer by the name of Dante, who gave Haithcox the help she needed. Leaving her post, she escorted Haithcox and the remaining two jackets to the suite of Mayor Kilpatrick on the stadium's fifth floor. 

 

There she waited with Kilpatrick's family and friend as he made his rounds through the stadium. 

 

Finally, with 2:13 left in the first half, Haithcox made good on Polk's promise from a year ago. With the jacket on and two thumbs up, Kilpatrick posed for Haithcox's photo.

 

"Romar's goal is to have a positive, working relationship with all of the HBCUs and greek organizations that will benefit all," Haithcox said.

 

Her determination on Saturday showed that those relationships should last a long time. As for Councilman Bates, she was going to deliver his jacket to his office on Tuesday because she had made it to her seat just in time to see the Battle of the Bands.