The Grand Forks Herald announced Wednesday the high school football games that will be played this year at the Alerus Center will be called the Sugar Beet Classic, presented by the Herald and Altru Advanced Orthopedics.
The doubleheader will be Oct. 7 and will involve Grand Forks Central and Grand Forks Red River.
Central will play West Fargo at 4:30 p.m. in the Classic opener. At 7:30 p.m., Grand Forks Red River will meet Fargo Davies. Both will be Eastern Dakota Conference games.
Planning for the Sugar Beet Classic has been in the works for the past few months.
"We think this is going to be a fun night not only for the kids, but also for local football fans," said Herald publisher Korrie Wenzel. "It's rare for the local teams to play at the Alerus, so we're excited to see the players in that environment."
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The event is named after one of the biggest industries in the Red River Valley.
"We were looking for a name that really has local appeal and a regional flair," said Wenzel. "Of course, sugar beets are a staple of the economy around here and the game coincides with the harvest season, so it seemed like a good fit.
"Also, it plays well with the other ag-related events that happen along I-29, like the Beef Bowl at SDSU, the Harvest Bowl at NDSU and the Potato Bowl at UND."
In addition to Altru Advanced Orthopedics, 20 other sponsors are involved in the Sugar Beet Classic.
"Everybody has been so good to work with-starting with the school district and the Alerus Center, but also Altru and the other sponsors," added Wenzel. "The sponsors really jumped on this, and that makes us think that we're on to something."
Both Central and Red River will be allowed to practice in the Alerus the day before the Classic.
Central and Red River both held their first practice of the season Wednesday.
Central opens its season Aug. 26 at Jamestown while Red River will host Bismarck Century on the same day.
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Altru Advanced Orthopedics officials said they look forward to sponsoring the event.
"We are excited to partner with the Grand Forks Herald in an event which supports local athletes," said Jill Wilson, the administrative director of Altru Advanced Orthopedics.
Pullout box
Sugar Beet Classic
Event: Sugar Beet Classic, presented by the Grand Forks Herald and Altru Advanced Orthopedics.
When: Oct. 7, Alerus Center.
Games: Grand Forks Central vs. West Fargo at 4:30 p.m.. Grand Forks Red River vs. Fargo Davies at 7:30 p.m.
Corporate sponsors: Grand Forks Herald, Altru Advanced Orthopedics.
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Subsidiary sponsors: Lithia Chrysler-Dodge, Mayville State University, Coldwell Banker Realty, Crop Production Services, Garden Hut, Lithia Toyota, Walls Medicine, Achieve Therapy and Fitness, Cornerstone Mortgage, Twin Cities Motors, Hornbacher's, Lithia Ford, Buffalo Wild Wings, 1000 Degrees Pizza, Olive Garden, American Crystal Sugar, Northland Community Technical College, Ground Round, North Dakota Army National Guard, Scan Design.
