Football Coach Willard Bailey did so much for Virginia Union University.

Now it’s VUU’s chance to say thank you.

The Panthers’ upcoming football game against CIAA opponent Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, Sept. 16, will serve as the inaugural Willard Bailey Classic at Hovey Field on the VUU campus.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Bailey, a 78-year-old Suffolk native, joined the VUU coaching staff in 1964 as an assistant under Coach Tom Harris.

In two stints as VUU head coach — 1971 to 1983 and 1995 to 2003 — Bailey posted a 157-72-6 record. That includes five CIAA championships and five trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Bailey guided numerous Panthers to the NFL, including Herbert Scott, Anthony Leonard, Malcolm Barnwell, Carl Bland and Pete Hunter.

The Bailey Classic is expected to be an annual event, with festivities commencing this year on Friday, Sept. 15, with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by a banquet at 7 p.m. at the Dr. Claude Perkins Living and Learning Center on the VUU campus, 1500 N. Lombardy St.

Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea, a former Panthers lineman, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Banquet tickets are $40; a table of 10 is $350. Tickets go on sale Aug. 1. Details and tickets: VUU Athletic Department, (804) 342-1484.