The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER more than a decade hiatus, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities will be returning with its fourth collegiate football game next month.

Ernest Ruffin Jr, executive director and founder of Young Entrepreneurz Solutions (YES), will be bringing the HBCU Football Classic back on November 7 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

It will feature a match between the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers and Kentucky State University in the first of a number of college basketball and possibly track and field, softball/baseball and volleyball events in the future.

At a press conference yesterday in the foyer of the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, plans were unveiled for the game, including a pregame tailgating party from 10am to 1pm before the game gets started.

Jevon Williams, the Senior Venue Manager for the National Sports Authority, welcomed YES HBCU back to the Bahamas, saying that the classic will represent an exciting and historic moment for sports in the Bahamas.

"For the first time in more than a decade, HBCU football will return to the Bahamas, bringing with it the excitement, transition, pageantry, culture and educational legacy that have made Historically Black College and Universities such an important part of the American and Bahamian experience," Williams said.

"What makes this occasion even more meaningful is the participation of Morehouse College and Kentucky State University - two institutions with strong connections to The Bahamas and generations of Bahamians who have studied, developed and created lifelong experiences within the HBCU community."

The last time a HBCU football game was played here was on September 13, 2014, when Texas Southern beat Central State 30-126 in the HBCU X Classic.

Prior to that, on September 30, 2000, Bethune Cookman won the Conch Bowl Classic at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium 42-6 over Morgan State.

And on November 16, 1991, Bethune Cookman won the first college football game played in The Bahamas with their 51-13 rout over Morris Brown.

Ruffin Jr wasn't a part of those games, but he said when he contacted both Bethune Cookman and Kentucky State, they both eagerly accepted the invitation to come here and compete.

While YES have hosted a basketball tournament for HBCU teams in the Virgin Islands for the past five years, they made an executive decision to come to The Bahamas.

Over the past seven months, he said they have been in communication with the NSA and the Ministry to make the event a reality.

"The teams know about the Bahamas Bowl, so they know the facilities are great. That was one of the big reasons why we moved it from the Virgin Islands to here," Ruffn Jr said.

"You have the football facilities to make this happen here. When I looked at other Caribbean locations, The Bahamas stood out. And after meeting with Jevon, it just made sense."

In December, Ruffin Jr said YES intends to return with a college basketball tournament, featuring at least eight teams from the HBCU region and there are plans in the future to expand on the football game next year with the marching bands.

Kerry Baker, the assistant director of Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said on behalf of Minister Mario Bowleg and their dedicated team, they are looking forward to reconnecting with the historic black community colleges.

"Many of our sons and daughters here in The Bahamas have walked these various campuses, contributing to their proud legacy of excellence and education," he said.

"We expect best wishes for a successful game and commit all organisers and participating teams for their commitment to athletic achievement."

Baker said they hope that one day, more young men and women will aspire to follow in the rich tradition that was shared by other Bahamians in attending the various colleges and universities in the HBSC.

Ruffin Jr said with the addition of the 200-plus players, coaches, trainers and other executives from the two schools, they are anticipating that at least 1,500-2,000 fans will be joining the two teams to watch the game.

"Morehouse is a huge institution as far as traveling and things like that," Ruffin Jr said. "Kentucky State is a very good football team, currently ranked number two in the country. They are 3-1 and were very good last year. Morehouse State is also a very good football team, so they will have their fans traveling with them."

Ruffin Jr said there are a number of teams calling to come next year, including Norfolk State with coach Michael Vic, but next year they are looking at bringing the bands to cheer on their teams.

This year, he added that Kentucky State is working with BAMSI to provide agricultural scholarships to any Bahamian student who is interested in attending their school.

And from December 3-5b at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, Ruffin Jr said YES will be back to host their inaugural YES HBCU basketball tournament here in The Bahamas.

Williams, however, noted that ticket sales for the football game will go on sale starting next week with the focus on their local market to get a chance to witness the YES HBCU experience if they haven't done so before.

"We will provide special ticket prices to the various groups, and we will be launching pricing and ticketing," Williams said. "We want to make this experience possible and productive."

Williams said they have made some renovations to the infield at the TAR stadium with a new irrigation system, upgraded the electrical system and engaged a company that will ensure that the field is properly ready to host the HBSC football game.

Both teams, according to Williams, will engage in a clinic for the youngsters currently involved in flag football so as to give them the exposure to contact football with a view of getting them s=interested in playing the game at the collegiate level.

Before the game, Williams said they will create a unique Bahamian YES HBSC Tailgate experience, starting at 10 am in the parking lot where the visitors will get to experience the true culture of The Bahamas.

All Greek-letter fraternities and sororities will also be on hand to provide their college and university exposure for those persons who would not have had the opportunity to attend college.

"This is going to be more than just a football game," Williams insisted.