Bethune-Cookman football and Jacksonville have always had a tight relationship, from annual Gateway Classic games that started in 1948 with a 14-0 victory over Edward Waters to some of the program's biggest and brightest names to wear the Maroon and Gold.

Greats like quarterback Bernard Hawk, whose name still is all over the Wildcat record book; Rashean Mathis, who won the 2002 Buck Buchannan award as FCS national defensive player of the year who set the national single-season interception record of 14 before embarking on a long and successful NFL career and Alvin "Shine" Wyatt Sr., a brash, flashy defensive back and returner who was ahead of his time have played for Bethune-Cookman and have had the opportunity to showcase the Wildcat way in their hometown.

Here are five top memories from Bethune-Cookman in Jacksonville:

December 13, 1952
Bethune-Cookman 54, Albany State 0 (Tropical Bowl)

After winning the 1952 SIAC Championship, which included the legendary 8-7 victory over Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman concluded one its most successful seasons in program history with a convincing defeat of Albany State in the second annual Tropical Bowl postseason game in the Gator Bowl. Wallace "Big Daddy" Rasberry scored two of his three touchdowns in the first quarter to set the tone for the Wildcats' ninth victory of the year.  Clyde "Bull" Sanders scored twice.

November 4, 1967
Bethune-Cookman 64, Edward Waters 6

Clewis Wright threw three touchdown passes, and Jacksonville product Alfred Haywood scored a pair of touchdowns and kicked a field goal and three extra points as the Wildcats racked up 516 yards of total offense. The 64 points would stand as a record for most scored in a road game until a 69-32 win at Morgan State in 2010.

September 9, 1978
Bethune-Cookman 14, Texas Southern 13

In one of the most thrilling endings to a Jacksonville contest, defensive end Marcus Young snatched a fumble out of the air and 55 yards for the game winning touchdown with 1:02 as the Wildcats stunned a Texas Southern team that appeared to have the game in hand.

October 6, 1984
Georgia Southern 43 Bethune-Cookman 33

The Wildcats fell to then FCS perennial power Georgia Southern, but the two teams delivered an offensive showcase that produced 1,045 total yards and a slew of single game records that still stand. Battling with Eagles QB Tracey Ham, Hawk threw a record 66 attempts for a record 40 completions and a record 527 yards while Leon Gonzales had a record 15 receptions for 222 yards, a record that stood for 14 years.
 
August 30, 2003
Bethune-Cookman 62, Savannah State 12

Future NFL All Pro Eric Weems made a dazzling debut, scoring four first-half touchdowns as the Wildcats cruised past Savannah State in the season opener. Weems' stat line for 30 minutes of work: Three rushes for 20 yards and two touchdowns with five catches for 153 yards and two scores. That's 24 points in eight touches. Also making his debut that night was another future All Pro, Nick Collins, who registered an interception. Collins went on to score a Super Bowl touchdown with a pick six in Super Bowl XLV.

Did we miss one? If there's a player or game you'd like to see included, email Bethune-Cookman Athletic Communications at bcusportsinfo@cookman.edu and we'll update the story.