COLUMBIA, S.C. — This college football season, two Midlands HBCUs will call Charles W. Johnson stadium their home.
Benedict College announced a partnership with Allen University on Wednesday that will allow Allen University to play some of their home games at Charles W. Johnson Stadium this season.
"I was delighted when President McNealey reached out to me this summer to inquire about using the stadium, and I am proud that we were able to reach an agreement in a single conversation that will allow our sister-HBCU to play most of its home games in Columbia," said Benedict College president Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis. "While this is not a permanent solution, our collaboration this season is a tribute to Charlie W. Johnson, whose name the stadium bears. He is not only the Chair of our Board of Trustees, but he is a former NFL professional football player who understands the power of teamwork and sportsmanship."
Yellow Jacket Head Football Coach Teddy Keaton is in his second year at Allen and is hopeful to enhance fan experience this season.
“Everything that we are trying to do is to enhance the culture of Allen University. It’s not just about the football team winning, it’s about the school, the institution winning," Keaton says. "Some people are rebuilding a culture, we’re actually building a culture. In everything that we are doing, we’re building it from the ground up."
The Yellow Jackets are 1-0 this season. According to Allen University, it is still unclear when they’ll play their first home game at Charles W. Johnson Stadium.