Several marquee Black college basketball programs are taking part in the first-ever HBCU Hoops Invitational at Walt Disney World Resort this winter.
The men’s field for the December 4th-7th tourney features Florida A&M University, Tuskegee University, Florida Memorial University and Barber-Scotia College, while the women’s bracket includes Bethune-Cookman University, Hampton University, Edward Waters University and Cheyney University.
The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) men’s and women’s teams will compete inside the State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in a single-elimination format with the chance to claim the inaugural HBCU Hoops Invitational titles. Florida A&M, which recently hired former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward as head coach, headlines the men’s field, having reached the NCAA Division I Tournament three times, while Cheyney University’s women’s team is the only HBCU school to ever reach the NCAA Division I Tournament Final Four (1982).
Beyond the court, the HBCU Hoops Invitational, which is run by HBCU Hoops Global, Inc., plans to support HBCU players, schools and students by hosting a college admissions fair at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, creating scholarships, providing academic assistance and identifying career development opportunities throughout the year.
“The HBCU Hoops Invitational is far more than a basketball tournament—it’s a powerful celebration of heritage, excellence and the limitless future of HBCU athletics,” said HBCU Hoops Global vice president Haywoode Workman, who spent nearly a decade playing in the NBA before becoming an NBA referee. “We are building a legacy that extends well beyond the court to open doors to academic achievement, career readiness and financial opportunity for our scholar-athletes.”
The new hoops tourney adds to an already bustling college basketball calendar at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts the WBCA Showcase (November 20th-23rd) and the ESPN Events Invitational (November 24th-28th) during the Thanksgiving holiday week, as well as several AAU boys’ and girls’ national basketball championships.
“We are excited about the opportunities to bring thrilling, family-friendly events to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and this HBCU Hoops Invitational adds to our lineup of high-caliber youth and college events,” said Jorge Senior, Disney’s Director of Sports Planning and Development. “If you’re a college basketball fan, there’s no better place to be during the holidays than at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.”
Tickets for the HBCU Hoops Invitational are on sale now.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida, is the home of Disney Soccer and Disney Spring Training and one of the premier sites for amateur sports in the nation.