SALISBURY — On a snowy December day in 1892, history was made.

Two groups of men gathered on the lawn of Livingstone College and — despite heavy snow from a recent storm — played the first game of football between black colleges in American history.

A crowd gathered in Thelma’s restaurant at West End Plaza on Thursday to launch a celebration of that historic game between Livingstone and what is now Johnson C. Smith University. This year marks 125 years of black college football.

Throwback Salisbury, a local marketing organization, and Thelma’s hosted the kickoff. Sylvester Kyles, co-host and director of Livingstone’s Bridge program, said he had no idea the college was the birthplace of black college football until he started working at Livingstone.

Kyles said he has been following the sport his entire life and was pleased to see the torch of that first match still being carried in yearly matches between Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith.

“The tradition still lives on at Livingstone,” he said.

The 1892 game was played on the front lawn of Livingstone College’s campus. The Blue Bears took on Biddle Memorial Institute, now Johnson C. Smith. W.J. Trent, who later became the longest-serving president of Livingstone College, was on the original Livingstone team and scored its only touchdown on a fumble recovery.

However, no point was awarded as snow had covered the field’s markings and referees argued that the fumble was recovered out of bounds. Johnson C. Smith won the game 5-0.

“And we have been battling with them guys ever since,” Kyles said.

In 2009, Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith revived the tradition, playing a Commemorative Classic game at Livingstone each year.

Thursday’s kickoff celebrated that tradition, as well as the beginning of the football season, with Livingstone’s first home game — known as the West End Classic — scheduled for Saturday.

The evening gathering featured music by Livingstone’s jazz band, a proclamation by Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander and Rowan County Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg Edds, and a special chicken and dumplings recipe from Thelma’s.

“It’s like the start off to the celebration,” said Kimberly Harrington, Livingstone’s assistant director of public relations.

Gwen Jackson, with Throwback Salisbury, said the kickoff is what the organization is all about: showcasing things Salisbury residents can be proud of.

“We are a great town, we have some great history, and we would like to celebrate each other’s accomplishments,” Jackson said.

Football, Jackson said, is “one of these things that crosses boundaries and brings people together.”

Livingstone students were excited about the celebration and the football season, as well.

“I think it’s wonderful that our school is engaging with the community,” said Terrell Richardson, student government association president. “… No institution would be able to say they were the birth of black college football like Livingstone.”

Local proclamations name the week of Oct. 29 through Nov. 4 as Commemorative Black College Football Week. Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed the September through November football season as the 125th anniversary of black college football in North Carolina.

This year’s Commemorative Classic game will be played at 1 p.m. Nov. 4 at Livingstone Alumni Football Stadium.

Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.