The Orange Blossom Classic’s identity has long been tied to Florida A&M, and for event director Kendra Bulluck-Major, restoring that connection was never in doubt.
“When you think about the Orange Blossom Classic, it’s synonymous with FAMU,” Bulluck-Major told HBCU Sports on Friday. “It was always FAMU.”
The Rattlers once again are back in the event to kickoff the season on Labor Day against defending HBCU national champion South Carolina State at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Founded on Florida A&M’s campus, the Orange Blossom Classic grew into one of the most significant events in HBCU sports, once regarded as the de facto Black national championship. That history made the Rattlers’ brief absence from the game stand out even more.
“There aren’t too many games in this space identified with one school the way the OBC is with Florida A&M,” Bulluck-Major said.
During that period, the Classic continued with other matchups, including a meeting between North Carolina Central and Alabama State. Still, Bulluck-Major emphasized that FAMU’s return remained a priority behind the scenes.
‘There needs to be FAMU’
The Rattlers returned to Miami Gardens in 2025, after missing the Orange Blossom Classic in 2024.
“It was always our intention for FAMU to be a part of the game,” she said. “As far as we were concerned, they would be there in perpetuity.”
According to Bulluck-Major, the absence was not driven by the Classic’s organizers but instead came down to institutional leadership decisions at the time. Once new leadership emerged, the path to reunification became clear.
“Once new leadership came on board, it was a no-brainer,” she said. “If there’s an Orange Blossom Classic, there needs to be a FAMU.”
Beyond tradition, Bulluck-Major pointed to South Florida’s deep ties to the university as another key factor. The region boasts one of the largest concentrations of FAMU alumni, making Miami Gardens a natural stage for the program.
“To be able to have them here, seeing FAMU in their backyard, and introducing the university to a new generation, that was very important,” she said.
Establishing FAMU & OBC long-term partnership
Reestablishing the partnership required more than history—it demanded collaboration. Bulluck-Major said both sides had to come together with a shared understanding of the Classic’s legacy and FAMU’s role within it.
“It was about getting the right people at the table,” she said. “People who understand the history and the legacy of FAMU and the Orange Blossom Classic.”
Those discussions ultimately led to a renewed partnership focused not only on participation but also on mutual support in areas such as marketing and promotion.
“It became about how we could best support the university and how the university could play an active role in supporting the Orange Blossom Classic,” Bulluck-Major said. “Making it a real partnership.”
With FAMU back in the fold, Bulluck-Major believes the Classic has returned to its roots—anchored by the program that helped define it from the beginning.
