GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) — Grand Rapids Public Schools will host the 2nd Annual Alumni Classic Varsity Football Game on Saturday, August 26.
Graduates from 1942 to 2023 are invited to join GRPS at Houseman Field on Saturday, August 26 for the Ottawa Hills High School vs. Union High School varsity football game. Festivities will begin with pre-game tailgating followed by a football game celebrating the City League. On-Your-Own-Tailgating space is available on the north end of the stadium (pole vault area) from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The game begins at 12 p.m. inside the historic Julius Houseman Field Stadium.
Ticket sales are available at 9:00 a.m. at the Houseman Field ticket window. All tickets are $5. Children 5 years and under can attend for free. Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward supporting GRPS athletics. Free admission is available for GRPS staff WITH A GRPS STAFF ID.
Each year for the GPRS Annual Alumni Classic Varsity Football Game we choose a theme to honor our alumni and celebrate our history of sportsmanship. This year’s theme is “A Celebration of the Grand Rapids City League.”
The Grand Rapids City League existed for 99 years and it was comprised of the following schools:
- Catholic Central High School
- Christian High School
- Central High School
- Creston High School
- Ottawa Hills High School
- South High School
- Union High School
- West Catholic High School
These schools will be recognized with trivia, facts, accomplishments, and notable alumni appearances all celebrated throughout the game.
Special features will include:
- Quarter-time games that will engage spectators with nostalgic activities.
- A half-time presentation and processional to the 50-yard line of signs, banners, and flags of the city league schools as their state championships are announced.
- A half-time City League Alumni Tug-of-War (10 alumni from each city league school who check-in at the flagpole when announced prior to half-time will be selected to participate).
- Recognition of notable alumni throughout the game.
- A marching band half-time performance.
- And more!
“Our first football game of the season is an excellent opportunity for GRPS staff, scholars, families, and alumni to celebrate our history with pride and get in the school spirit for the new school year,” exclaimed Kurt Johnson, Executive Director of Athletics & Physical/Health Education. “We hope all proud GRPS supporters will come to cheer on our athletes.”
There will be a special scholar game ticket giveaway at Ottawa Hills High School and Union High School for the first 400 GRPS scholars the first week of school starting Tuesday, August 22. Any currently registered and enrolled GPRS scholars from our elementary, middle school and/or high schools are eligible to receive one FREE ticket by:
- Going directly to the high school athletic office after school and speaking to the high school athletic director (Marcus Harris at Ottawa Hills and Justin Walker at Union High School).
- Each scholar must give their name and state their goal for improvement for the 2023-2024 school year. Goals can be improvement of grades, attendance, behavior or trying a new activity.
- Free tickets are only for currently registered and enrolled GPRS scholars verified via SYNERGY.
Student attendees will be limited to those enrolled in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. High school attendees should bring their student IDs for admission. Middle and elementary school scholars must be accompanied by an adult.
For additional information visit grps.org/alumni-classic or contact communications@grps.org.
