THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University Department of Athletics announced an exciting weekend of events for the 16th Annual Louis Crews Classic. Activities leading up to the Bulldogs' 2026 home opener Sept. 4-5 include a coach's breakfast, A Night with Johnny Gill and more.
 
The Louis Crews Classic has become a staple for Bulldog fans, annually opening Alabama A&M's home football schedule. This year, the Bulldogs will play host to Miles College.
 
The game concludes a weekend-long celebration honoring former AAMU head coach Louis Crews, who roamed the sidelines from 1959-76 and compiled a remarkable 110-61-3 record during his time on The Hill.
 
Alabama A&M created the annual Louis Crews Classic in 2010 to honor Crews and his family's contributions to the institution. The Bulldogs are 10-4 in the 14 previous classic games.
 
The celebration of AAMU athletics and legendary coach Louis Crews will feature former players commemorating his legacy. Grand Marshalls for the weekend are Betty Kelly Austin and Dr. Anthony Toney.
 
Events for the 16th annual Louis Crews Classic are as follows:
Louis Crews Coaches Breakfast
Friday, Sept. 4 | 8 a.m.
Ernest Knight Center
Featuring guest speaker and AAMU head coach Sam Shade
Tickets: $75 | Tables: $1,000 (eight seats)
 
12th Annual Hill Project 2.0
Lee High School (Class of 2027)
Approximately 100 senior students
Friday, Sept. 4 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Elmore Health Science Building
 
A Night with Johnny Gill
Friday, Sept. 4 | Doors open at 6 p.m.
AAMU Event Center
Tickets: $1,000 per table (eight seats) | $80 individual seating
Purchase tickets at aamusports.com or call 256-372-7255 or 256-372-7254.
 
Bulldog Walk
Alabama A&M will hold the first of five traditional Bulldog Walks this season at 4 p.m. The Bulldog Walk generally begins approximately two hours before kickoff.
 
16th Annual Louis Crews Classic Game
The Bulldogs play host to Miles College, with kickoff against the Golden Bears set for 6 p.m. This will be the 22nd meeting in the series, with AAMU holding an 18-3 all-time record. The programs last met in 2018, when Alabama A&M shut out Miles 37-0 at Louis Crews Stadium.
 
Fall Schedule
The Bulldogs open the 2026 season Saturday, Aug. 29, with a road trip to Atlanta to take on Howard. The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, against Miles College.
 
Classic Games
Alabama A&M will play in four signature games, beginning with the 16th annual Louis Crews Classic against Miles on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Louis Crews Stadium. The Bulldogs renew their rivalry with Tennessee State in The Legacy Series on Saturday, Sept. 12. AAMU faces Jackson State in the Gulf Coast Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, and concludes its slate of signature games with the 84th annual Magic City Classic on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
Ticket Information
Season tickets and single-game tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. Purchase tickets today to guarantee your seat for the upcoming season. To purchase tickets, visit aamusports.com or call the ticket office at 256-372-7255 or 256-372-7254.
 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics — The Rocket City's Only Division I Program — visit the official athletics website at aamusports.com. Follow the Bulldogs on Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), X (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).