Circle City Classic director resigns after 4 months

The executive director of the Circle City Classic announced his resignation Monday, just four months after taking the job.

In his resignation letter, Marc Williams said the organization faces challenges that are best served by someone
more familiar with the inner workings of Indianapolis.

The Classic—which started in
1984—is an annual weekend of activities in early October built around a football game featuring
two historically black colleges or universities. The game and related events, most of which happen downtown,
typically attract more than 70,000 spectators and ring up direct visitor spending of $14.9 million, according
to the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.

 “I truly believe in
the concept of the Classic and the foundation that has been established—particularly the education
component,” Williams said in his resignation letter. “I pray the Classic finds a more suitable replacement for
me in the weeks to come.”

Williams, an East Coast marketing consultant, was hired in June to replace Tony
Mason, who left to become senior vice president for the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee. Williams was the fourth executive
director in the event’s 26-year history.