By Courtesy of HBCUNEWS.com
The Chicago Cubs announced Tuesday that the first-ever Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic will be hosted at Wrigley Field later this spring.
The game will feature Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) Prairie View A&M University and Alabama A&M University, who will play after a Cubs game in early May, according to organizers.
“Our mission is to elevate the next generation of talent and expand opportunity in Black baseball. With the support of the Chicago Cubs, bringing this Classic to Wrigley Field allows us to build a baseball tradition that mirrors the decades-long impact of the Chicago Football Classic — ensuring HBCUs remain a vibrant part of Chicago’s sports DNA,” said Earnest Horton, CEO of Black Baseball Media and organizer of the Classic, in a statement.
According to officials, the game will feature marching band performances and other celebrations of HBCU traditions, as well as other fan activations.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was among the dignitaries to celebrate the announcement of the game.
“The first-ever HBCU game at Wrigley Field is a historic milestone for Chicago and for the future of baseball,” he said in a statement. “Wrigley Field is the only ballpark where Jackie Robinson played that still stands today, making it a powerful place to write the next chapter of Black baseball history. This event honors the legacy of African Americans in the sport while inspiring young people across our city to see themselves in baseball, in higher education, and in leadership.”
The game will be played on the evening of Saturday, May 2, following the conclusion of an earlier game between the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at the Friendly Confines.