John Thompson Foundation Classic

The John Thompson Foundation Classic was one of several preseason college football games that emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s.^[1] Like the other kickoff-type games, it served as an extra game for the participating teams and did not count against the NCAA Division I-A limit of eleven games in a season. The game was discontinued after the 2002 season, when the NCAA eliminated all such preseason games^[2] except for the BCA Classic, which had two years remaining on its television contract and therefore survived until 2004.

The John Thompson Foundation Classic lasted for two seasons - 2001 and 2002 - and was played at the home field of one of the participants. It raised funds for the John Thompson Foundation, which supports disadvantaged children in inner cities, especially the District of Columbia.^[3]

Game Results

Date	Home Team	Visiting Team	Site	Score
August 23, 2001	Louisville	New Mexico State	Papa John's Cardinal Stadium	Louisville, 45–24[4]
August 23, 2002	Wisconsin	Fresno State	Camp Randall Stadium	Wisconsin, 23–21[5]

References

1. "PLUS: COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Another Game Added to Schedule". New York Times. 21 March 2001. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
2. "NCAA decides to eliminate preseason games". Tuscaloosa News. 13 January 1999. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
3. "The Give Back Fund - The John Thompson Foundation". The John Thompson Foundation. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
4. "Louisville's Victory Is a Struggle, 45-24". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
5. "Bulldogs can't quite pull off another win over Wisconsin". ESPN.com. Retrieved 27 July 2015.