Howard, Hampton universities face off at Audi Field in annual Truth and Service Classic

WASHINGTON — Who is the real HU?

College football fans will find out this Saturday when longtime rivals Hampton University and Howard University face off in the fourth annual Truth and Service Classic.

Howard University Athletic Director Kery Davis and D.C. United President Danita Johnson joined WUSA9’s Wisdom Martin Thursday morning to preview the game between the two HBCUs, which is at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21.

“This game is an opportunity to celebrate the culture of HBCUs and the two schools in particular,” Davis said. “We love putting that on a national display.”

The game will be at Audi Field in southwest D.C., where D.C. United and Washington Spirit play professional soccer. Johnson said the field is honored to be a part of the game.

“For Audi Field, we're just excited to be in the midst of it,” Johnson said. “We've been doing this for over four years now, The Truth and Service Classic. It's an opportunity for us to be at the center of uplifting two of the best HBCUs out there.”

ESPN will also be at the game. Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe, who are both graduates of HBCUs, will be there for the channel. Davis said he’s looking forward to celebrating HBCUs both in sports and beyond on national television.

“The bands, the cheerleaders, the Divine Nine — it's all of that,” Davis said. “And so all of that will be on display both Friday and Saturday.”