UVI Will Host HBCU Basketball Tournament In November

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Athletics Department will host the first “Virgin Islands HBCU Basketball Classic” tournament this November at the UVI Sports & Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The VI HBCU Basketball Classic will be a men’s and women’s basketball tournament. It will feature five National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) programs and 12 competitions (six men’s games and six women’s games) over the course of three days from November 3rd to the 5th.

“UVI Athletics is thrilled to offer the first Virgin Islands HBCU Classic which we expect will create a lasting tradition of competition, community engagement, cultural and institutional pride as well as education to further foster the support of HBCUs,” said Dr. Jerel Drew, Director of Athletics at UVI. “We anticipate an exciting Homecoming Week filled with festivities for all ages.”

Tournament participants will include teams from Arkansas Baptist College, Hutson-Tillotson University, Warner University, Wilberforce University and UVI. All the schools except for Warner University, are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“We are excited for our basketball programs to be selected for this event, said Dr. Monique Carroll, Director of Athletics at Hutson-Tillotson. “This will be a phenomenal experience for our student-athletes and a great way to return to action against a field of teams who will be excited to compete as well.”

The women’s basketball program from Arkansas Baptist College will be among the groups participating. “We are thankful for the invitation and the experience of a lifetime for our student-athletes. We look forward to competing and participating in all the great events planned for the week,” said Marlow Rockwell, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Arkansas Baptist.

“Wilberforce is excited to participate in the first UVI HBCU Classic this upcoming season. We look forward to taking the court,” said Derek Williams, Director of Athletics at Wilberforce.

All 12 competitions will be live-streamed on various platforms. The tournament will also be the Buccaneers’ home opener.

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