Florida A&M University \u2014 now led by football legend and newly appointed head coach Charlie Ward, a former Heisman Trophy winner<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Tuskegee University<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Florida Memorial University<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Barber-Scotia College<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
On the women\u2019s side, the lineup features:<\/p>\n
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Bethune-Cookman University<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Hampton University<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Edward Waters University<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Cheyney University, which made history as the only HBCU to reach the NCAA Division I Women\u2019s Final Four back in 1982<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Each matchup will be played in the State Farm Field House, one of the crown jewels of Disney\u2019s sports complex, where college athletes will battle it out for a shot at becoming the first-ever HBCU Hoops Invitational champions.<\/p>\n
More Than Just a Tournament<\/p>\n
What sets the HBCU Hoops Invitational apart is its mission. Powered by HBCU Hoops Global, Inc., the event is designed to create a ripple effect well beyond the final buzzer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe HBCU Hoops Invitational is far more than a basketball tournament\u2014it\u2019s a powerful celebration of heritage, excellence and the limitless future of HBCU athletics,\u201d said Haywoode Workman, VP of HBCU Hoops Global and a former NBA player and referee. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
True to that mission, the event will include:<\/p>\n
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A college admissions fair on-site, encouraging youth engagement and higher education access<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Scholarship creation initiatives<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Academic assistance programs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Career development opportunities for student-athletes and HBCU students throughout the year<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A Celebration of Culture and Competition<\/p>\n
The timing and location of the event are deliberate. Disney\u2019s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is already a hub for top-tier basketball events. This December alone, the venue also hosts:<\/p>\n
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The WBCA Showcase (November 20\u201323)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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The ESPN Events Invitational (November 24\u201328)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Numerous AAU national championships for boys and girls<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Adding the HBCU Hoops Invitational to the calendar infuses this high-profile schedule with a celebration of Black excellence, community, and tradition. The event promises to attract families, alumni, students, and hoops fans from across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d said Jorge Senior, Disney\u2019s Director of Sports Planning and Development. \u201cIf you\u2019re a college basketball fan, there\u2019s no better place to be during the holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tickets and Info<\/p>\n
Tickets are officially on sale now at HBCUhoops.org<\/a>, making this the perfect time to lock in plans for a December getaway filled with sports, sun, and school pride. Whether you\u2019re cheering courtside or supporting from afar, this event is poised to become a new staple of the college basketball season and a vital stage for HBCU programs to shine.<\/p>\n
As fans look to embrace the culture, support Black institutions, and witness elite-level basketball, the HBCU Hoops Invitational offers all that\u2014and more\u2014within the magical backdrop of Walt Disney World. It\u2019s an unmissable collision of sports, education, and community impact.<\/p>\n
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