By Jerome Johnson
Let’s be honest. Yes, Wrigleyville is fun, but it definitely could use a little more flavor at times. Two HBCUs are bringing its marching bands, students, alumni, and undeniable energy to the Chicago Cubs turf soon.
Beginning April 26, the Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic Week, will kick off. It is an annual celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, featuring high-stakes sports, parades, marching bands, and educational fairs. These events highlight culture, community, and athletic talent.
The week will end May 2 with the highly anticipated HBCU Baseball Classic featuring Alabama A&M Bulldogs baseball and Prairie View A&M Panthers. The game, organizers say, is about much more than baseball. For the first time, HBCU baseball will take center stage at Wrigley Field, one of the most iconic venues in sports.
The classic at Wrigley Field is sold out, but those wishing to go can join a waiting list to be notified if tickets become available. A list of events and ticket availability can be found here.
The event is hosted by Black Baseball Media, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization committed to amplifying the voices and contributions of Black people in baseball. They recently hosted The Chicago High School Baseball Classic, a showcase bringing some of the region’s most talented high school programs together, for a full day of high-level competition.
“Showing representation through baseball shows that we’re turning the corner, slowly but surely, getting back to those heydays of the 1970s and ‘80s when we turned on a TV screen and we saw people that looked like us, from our communities,” said Earnest Horton, also known as “Coach E.” He is the CEO of Black Baseball Media.
For Horton, the classic represents a shift in how HBCU baseball is perceived and valued.
“The biggest misconception about HBCU baseball is that it’s a tier under predominantly white institutions,” Horton told The TRiiBE. “HBCU baseball has some of the best talent in the country.”
That classic will also have a strong hometown presence. Nine players in the game have ties to Chicago, adding another layer of significance to the matchup.
Hosting the event in Chicago, a city deeply rooted in baseball tradition and pride, is no coincidence. Chicago is home to two major league teams. Wrigley Field is also the last standing ballpark where Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson played. Chicago also housed some of the most prominent Negro league teams, like the Chicago American Giants, and the Leland Giants.
“Chicago is a baseball town. We’ve got two professional teams, one up North, one out South,” Horton said. “Chicago is what pushes the baseball pulse.”
What fans can expect inside Wrigley Field will go beyond the game. Horton describes the experience as an immersive one, blending sport with the culture that defines HBCUs.
“Cubs fans who might not know about HBCUs, they’ll get a snapshot of what it looks like at an HBCU. This is a yard party,” he said.
And the energy won’t be limited to Chicago. This event has the attention of the nation. People are traveling to Chicago from around the world to enjoy the classic.
“People are coming from Detroit, Alabama, Texas, California, New York,” Horton said. “People are coming from Canada, the Bahamas. This event is not local Chicago. It is now deemed as a national day.”
That level of interest speaks to the hunger for visibility, something Black Baseball Media has been working to build.
When asked about the motivation to have such an event, Horton said, “We wanted to make Black baseball more visible, more marketable, and showcase the true talent. We wanted to stop treating Black baseball like it’s a charity and give it the opportunity to sing.”
Outside of the classic, there are many parties, mixers, financial education seminars, and other events lined up for the week. This is on track to be a full HBCU weekend experience.
The week begins on April 26 at Englewood Stem High School where there will be a free HBCU Alumni softball game from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“We want everyone at the HBCU softball alum kickoff,” he said. “This is the community event that kicks the week off. We want to make sure this is free to everybody, [so] If you want to just pull up with your lawn chair, listen to some music, live DJ out there, we need you to do so.”
