Beyond the Game: Fountain City Classic Invests in Education, Opportunity and the Future of Students

Over the next two days, follow the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper as we share the inspiring stories of four Fountain City Classic scholarship recipients and explore how the Classic continues to make a difference beyond the game.

For more than three decades, the Fountain City Classic has been known for bringing together the Golden Rams of Albany State University and the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University in a celebration of football, tradition and the rich legacy of historically Black colleges and universities.

But beyond the excitement of the annual rivalry lies a mission that extends far beyond the football field — helping students pursue their educational dreams, overcome financial barriers and ultimately earn a college degree.

Through its scholarship and community outreach programs, the Fountain City Classic has become more than an annual sporting event. It serves as a vehicle for educational opportunity, community investment and support for the next generation of leaders.

At the heart of that mission is a commitment to providing financial assistance to students attending Albany State University, Fort Valley State University and other accredited colleges and universities across the country.

The Classic's scholarship program includes two primary opportunities designed to expand access to higher education.

The Community Scholarship is available to eligible graduating high school seniors living within a 100-mile radius of Columbus who plan to attend an accredited college or university in the United States.

The Host Committee Scholarship is specifically designated for eligible graduating high school seniors planning to enroll at Albany State University or Fort Valley State University, reinforcing the Classic's longstanding commitment to the two institutions that anchor its annual celebration.

Recognizing that getting into college is only part of the challenge, the Fountain City Classic has expanded its commitment through the "Close the Gap" initiative, an effort designed to help students overcome unexpected financial hardships that could prevent them from completing their education.

Through the FCC Cares Fund, the initiative provides emergency assistance and gap scholarships to students facing financial obstacles, addressing a reality that affects college students across the country: Even after securing admission and initial financial aid, unexpected expenses can threaten their ability to remain enrolled.

The initiative reflects a guiding principle behind the Classic's educational mission — the goal is not simply to help students get to college, but to help them get through college.

The scholarship program also underscores the important role that community partnerships, corporate sponsors, alumni and supporters play in creating educational opportunities for young people throughout the Chattahoochee Valley.

Each scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It represents an investment in a student's potential, a family's aspirations and the future of the communities those students will one day serve.

Courier Eco Latino to Spotlight Four Scholarship Recipients

Over the next two days, the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper will introduce readers to four recipients of Fountain City Classic scholarships, sharing their personal journeys, academic aspirations, challenges and the impact that receiving a scholarship has had on their pursuit of higher education.

Through their stories, readers will discover the individuals behind the scholarships — young men and women whose determination, perseverance and commitment to academic excellence demonstrate why investing in education remains one of the most meaningful contributions a community can make.

Their experiences will also provide insight into the financial and personal challenges facing today's college students and the difference that encouragement, mentorship and community support can make.

For the Fountain City Classic, the message is clear: The annual football game may bring thousands together for a weekend of celebration, but its lasting legacy is measured in the lives it changes and the opportunities it creates.

Because when the final whistle blows and the stadium lights go dark, the real victory is found in the classrooms, on graduation stages and in the futures of the students whose dreams the Fountain City Classic helps make possible.

Fountain City Classic Scholarship Spotlight: Zoey Roberts

Spencer High School graduate and Fort Valley State University freshman credits scholarship with helping her pursue her dreams

For Zoey Roberts, a graduate of Spencer High School and a freshman at Fort Valley State University, receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It is a reminder that her community believes in her potential and is willing to invest in her future.

Currently majoring in animal science and participating in the university’s ROTC program, Roberts has ambitious goals that include a career in health care, military service and giving back to the community that has supported her.

As part of the Courier Eco Latino's spotlight on Fountain City Classic scholarship recipients, Roberts shared her appreciation for the scholarship, the challenges of transitioning to college and her determination to one day help other young people achieve their dreams.

Q: What does receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship mean to you personally, and how has this financial support impacted your educational journey?

Roberts: Receiving this scholarship has truly been a blessing. It has given me the opportunity to continue my education and move closer to achieving my goals. What makes it even more meaningful is knowing there are people in our community who genuinely care about students and want to see us succeed.

I am grateful for the organizers, sponsors and supporters who recognize the importance of investing in young people. Whether someone is the first in their family to attend college or comes from generations of college graduates, having that kind of encouragement and financial support makes a tremendous difference.

This scholarship has reminded me that I am not pursuing my dreams alone.

Q: What challenges have you faced while pursuing your college education, and how has this scholarship helped you overcome some of those obstacles?

Roberts: I would say the biggest challenges have been emotional and financial. Transitioning from high school to college is a major adjustment. You are learning to become more independent, manage your responsibilities and navigate an entirely new environment.

The Fountain City Classic has been a blessing in both areas. Financially, the scholarship has helped ease some of the expenses associated with attending college.

But what I appreciate just as much is the emotional support. Mrs. Reed has been such a blessing. She calls to check on me, asks how things are going and makes sure I am adjusting well to college life.

That means a lot because it shows that the people behind this scholarship are not simply giving students money and walking away. They genuinely care about our success.

Q: What are your career goals and aspirations, and how do you hope to use your education to make a positive difference in your community?

Roberts: I have several goals that I hope to accomplish. One of my aspirations is to become a nurse practitioner, and I also have a strong interest in serving in the military.

Right now, I am majoring in animal science at Fort Valley State University and participating in ROTC. I am exploring the opportunities available to me and working toward building a successful future.

I believe education is about more than earning a degree or obtaining a professional title. It is about preparing yourself to make a difference.

My hope is that as I accomplish my goals, I will be in a position to help someone else. Just as people have invested in me, I want to be able to invest in another young person and help them move closer to their dreams.

Q: If you had the opportunity to speak directly to the Fountain City Classic organizers, sponsors and supporters who make these scholarships possible, what would you want them to know about the difference their investment is making in your life?

Roberts: First, I would want them to know how grateful I am. Their generosity is making a difference in my life, and I do not take that for granted.

I would also love to learn how I can become more involved with the Fountain City Classic and help support other students in the future.

I think it is important that younger students understand the opportunities available to them. Sometimes young people do not realize how far they can go or how many people are willing to help them succeed.

I would love to see more students learn about the scholarships, educational programs and other opportunities connected to the Fountain City Classic.

Most importantly, I want to encourage students who receive this kind of support to remember where they came from. When we become successful, we should come back and help the next generation.

That is how we keep the blessings going.

Q: Beyond the financial assistance, what does it mean to you to know that an entire community believes in your potential and is investing in your future?

Roberts: It makes me feel proud of myself, and it gives me even more confidence in what I can accomplish.

Sometimes, as young people, we question ourselves. We wonder whether we are good enough, whether we will be selected or whether anyone will recognize our potential.

But to know that someone took the time to review my application, look at my accomplishments and say, "This young lady has potential. Let's invest in her," means so much to me.

Out of all the students who applied, someone saw something in me worth supporting. They were willing to give me an opportunity, check on my progress and encourage me along the way.

That is a huge blessing.

It motivates me to work even harder because I know people are counting on me and believe in what I can become.

I want to make them proud, but I also want to make myself proud. And one day, I hope to be in a position where I can do for another student what the Fountain City Classic has done for me.

More Than a Scholarship — An Investment in the Future

For Roberts, the Fountain City Classic Scholarship is not simply helping pay for college. It is providing encouragement, mentorship and a sense of responsibility to those who have invested in her success.

Her story reflects the broader mission of the Fountain City Classic's scholarship initiative: helping students pursue higher education while strengthening the connection between academic achievement and community support.

As Roberts continues her freshman year at Fort Valley State University, she carries with her more than the financial benefits of the scholarship. She carries the confidence that comes from knowing others believe in her future.

And perhaps the most meaningful part of her story is her desire to someday return that investment.

For Roberts, success will not be measured solely by the degree she earns or the career she builds, but also by the opportunities she can help create for those who follow.

Fountain City Classic Community Scholarship Spotlight: Luis Laboy

Scholarship recipient shares how faith, perseverance and community support are helping him pursue his dreams at Auburn University.

For Luis Laboy, receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship represents far more than financial assistance. It is an investment in his potential, an affirmation of his dreams and a reminder that a community of supporters believes in his future.

As the oldest of four boys raised in a single-parent household, Laboy understands the importance of perseverance, responsibility and faith. Now a student at Auburn University, he is pursuing his educational goals with aspirations of becoming an accountant, financial adviser or business executive.

In this question-and-answer interview with the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper, Laboy reflects on his educational journey, the challenges he has overcome and his desire to one day give back to the community that has invested in him.

Q: What does receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship mean to you personally, and how has this financial support impacted your educational journey?

Luis Laboy: Receiving the Fountain City Classic Scholarship is the very definition of someone investing in something they see in you.

Being the oldest of four boys and growing up in a single-parent household, having someone outside of my immediate family recognize my potential and believe in my dreams was not something I had always experienced.

For someone to say, “I believe in you. I believe in what you can accomplish and what you can contribute to this world, and I want to help you achieve your dreams,” is incredibly meaningful.

Of course, the financial assistance is a tremendous blessing because I am responsible for paying for my education. But what makes this scholarship even more special is that it comes with something money cannot buy — relationships, mentorship and the wisdom of people who have traveled the road before me.

I now have access to individuals who can share their experiences, help me avoid some of the mistakes they may have made and connect me with professionals in industries I hope to enter.

So, for me, this scholarship is not just about financial support. It is about having people who genuinely believe in my future and are willing to help me get there.

Q: What challenges have you faced while pursuing your college education, and how has this scholarship helped you overcome some of those obstacles?

Luis Laboy: One of my greatest challenges has been knowing that I am fully responsible for every educational expense I incur.

As the oldest of four boys, I understood early that if I wanted to pursue higher education, I would have to take responsibility for making it happen.

I began applying for scholarships during the summer before my junior year of high school, and the Fountain City Classic Scholarship was one of the first I received. That was an incredible blessing because it helped relieve some of the financial pressure.

Another major challenge was having to make an unexpected move from Florida to Alabama during my senior year of high school.

That transition changed so much about my life. I had to adjust to a new school, a new state, new relationships and an entirely different environment. It even changed my college plans. Before moving to Alabama, Auburn University was not somewhere I had seriously considered attending.

Being someone who is naturally more reserved, having to start over and build new relationships was not always easy. There were moments when the uncertainty felt overwhelming.

But those experiences taught me resilience. They taught me how to adapt, how to persevere and, most importantly, how to trust the Lord.

I have learned that there are things in life we are not meant to understand immediately. We may not know why certain things happen or why our plans suddenly change, but God knows.

Throughout my journey, His faithfulness has continued to shine through. Looking back, I can see how the challenges, changes and unexpected opportunities have helped shape the person I am becoming.

Q: What are your career goals and aspirations, and how do you hope to use your education to make a positive difference in your community?

Luis Laboy: I know that I want to build a career in the business world. Right now, I have several interests that I am seriously considering.

One of my goals is to become an accountant and eventually own my own accounting firm. I already have an internship opportunity developing for this coming summer with an accounting firm in Columbus, Georgia, and I am excited about the experience and knowledge that opportunity could provide.

Another interest of mine is becoming a financial adviser for a large corporation or eventually serving in an executive leadership position.

I believe I have a natural ability to lead by example, and I think that would serve me well in an executive leadership role.

I have also always been responsible when it comes to managing money. Because I have had to take responsibility for many of my own expenses, I understand the importance of budgeting, planning and making wise financial decisions.

I would love to use those skills to help individuals and businesses accomplish their financial goals.

Ultimately, one of my greatest aspirations is to establish a business in Columbus or the surrounding area.

I want to give back to the same community that gave to me when I was beginning my journey and trying to figure out how to accomplish my dreams.

For me, that would be a full-circle moment — going from being a young student who needed someone to invest in his future to becoming a professional who can invest in the futures of others.

Q: If you had the opportunity to speak directly to the Fountain City Classic organization, sponsors and supporters who make these scholarships possible, what would you want them to know about the difference their investment is making in your life?

Luis Laboy: I would want them to know that I have never experienced this level of generosity before, and it has truly been a blessing.

To receive something so meaningful from people who may not even know me personally, but who believe in my potential and want to see me succeed, is something I will never forget.

My mother and I talk about it all the time, especially after the scholarship ceremony. We are just overwhelmed with gratitude.

When I think about all the people who organize events, raise funds, volunteer their time and work behind the scenes to make these scholarships possible, it means so much to me.

They are doing all of this because they believe young people deserve an opportunity to succeed.

That kind of generosity is powerful, and it has inspired me to want to become that same kind of person.

When I reach a point in my life where I am financially established and able to help others, I want to give back in the same way.

I want to be able to look at a young person who has dreams but may not have all the resources necessary to accomplish them and say, “I believe in you, and I want to help you get there.”

I am incredibly grateful to the Fountain City Classic organization, its supporters and everyone I have had the opportunity to meet through this experience.

Their generosity has not only helped me financially, but it has also influenced the kind of man I want to become.

Q: Beyond the financial assistance, what does it mean to know that an entire community believes in your potential and is investing in your future?

Luis Laboy: It means more than I can really put into words.

When you come from a background where you have had to take responsibility for so much on your own, knowing that people believe in you is an incredible feeling.

It reminds me that I am not walking this journey alone.

There are people who want to see me succeed, people who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences, and people who are investing in something they believe I can become.

That gives me even more motivation to work hard, remain faithful and make the most of every opportunity.

Most importantly, it reminds me that one day I have a responsibility to do the same for someone else.

The Fountain City Classic Scholarship is helping me build my future, but it is also teaching me the importance of helping others build theirs.

And that is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life