Norfolk State to Play Elizabeth City State, Va. State In Future Labor Day Classics

(HamptonRoads.com photo)

After a two-year hiatus, it looks like Virginia’s version of The Labor Day Classic is about to be reborn. Norfolk State has agreed to play former CIAA rivals Elizabeth City State and Virginia State to open the season starting in 2016, according to the Virginian Pilot.

NSU will host ECSU on Sept. 3, 2016 and VSU on Sept. 2, 2017 and Sept. 1, 2018.

“I am extremely happy to be able to finalize arrangements to return the Labor Day Classic to Dick Price Stadium,” NSU athletic director Marty Miller said in a statement.

“This is a winner for all of our programs, student-athletes and fans.”

The Spartans, now members of Division I MEAC, played Virginia State on Labor Day weekend each year from 1991 to 2009, and again from 2011-12 before opening with FCS foe Maine the past two seasons.

For years, games against Virginia State proved to be NSU’s top draw at the gate, pulling in an average of 22,021 fans in the past five meetings.

As Miller said, this is a win-win for all involved.