HBCU Athletic Conference Awards Three-Year Bid for Baseball and Softball Championships to Visit Tuscaloosa and the City of Northport
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) has announced that Visit Tuscaloosa and the City of Northport have been awarded the winning bid to host the conference's Baseball and Softball Championships for the next three years, through 2028. Both championships will take place at the newly constructed River Run Park in the City of Northport.
In addition to the games, each championship includes a welcome reception hosted by Visit Tuscaloosa, offering student-athletes, coaches, and fans an opportunity to experience the city's renowned hospitality. Ticket information for both championships will be announced at a later date.
The announcement was made during a press conference on Monday at River Run Park in the City of Northport. HBCUAC Commissioner Kiki Baker Barnes, PhD, Visit Tuscaloosa President & CEO Kelsey Rush, and Pro Tempore Woodrow Washington. Attendees were also greeted with a performance by Stillman College drumline for the first-ever live performance of a piece of music that is a direct product of the close relationship between the Greater Tuscaloosa community and the area's local HBCUAC member school, Stillman College. The piece was commissioned by Visit Tuscaloosa and written by Stillman faculty member Eddie Fraction to reflect the energy and traditions that make our community the perfect host for HBCUAC championships.
"The opportunity to bring 16 teams to our baseball and softball championships in Northport for the next three years is a win for our student-athletes, fans, and the entire conference," said Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, HBCUAC Commissioner. "River Run Park will provide a premier stage for competition, and Visit Tuscaloosa's commitment to creating an exceptional experience will make these championships memorable for years to come."
Kelsey Rush, President and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa, echoed the excitement: "We are thrilled to welcome the HBCUAC back to Tuscaloosa and to showcase all our community has to offer, including this brand new sports complex in Northport. From our state-of-the-art facilities at River Run Park to the vibrant energy of our entire area, we look forward to hosting student-athletes, coaches, and fans for an unforgettable championship experience."
The HBCUAC Baseball and Softball Championships at River Run Park will highlight elite competition, community engagement, and the growing presence of HBCU Athletic Conference on a national level.
"The significance of the City of Northport landing the HBCU Athletic Conference Softball and Baseball Championships at the newly opened River Run Park is far-reaching from an economic, cultural, and community perspective," said Christy Bobo, Council President, City of Northport. "Hosting these baseball & softball championships offers economic benefits and boosts community pride. Additionally, they will showcase our city and this state-of-the-art sports complex, and impact our local businesses, hospitality industry, and provide tournaments where young people can see themselves as future student athletes. We thank HBCUAC Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, City staff, Visit Tuscaloosa, Stillman College, and our amazing partner and all-star consultant, Don Staley, for supporting Northport's efforts in making River Run Park a premier destination to host sporting events."
For more information about the HBCUAC and media inquiries, contact Dani Wright at (504) 514-4683 or communications@hbcuac.org.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.
Visit Tuscaloosa
As Tuscaloosa's destination organization, Visit Tuscaloosa's vision is to excel in illustrating the Tuscaloosa area as the South's premier college town, celebrated for its storied legacy and hospitality. The organization is a community asset that stimulates economic growth and fosters resident pride through tourism and promotion efforts that inspire people to discover Tuscaloosa County. Visit Tuscaloosa's efforts generate revenue for the community and consistently enhance the area's public image as a dynamic place to live, work, play and visit.
City of Northport
The City of Northport is a municipal corporation established in 1871 and organized under the laws of the State of Alabama. It is located on the northern bank of the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama, approximately 60 miles southwest of Birmingham. As a rapidly growing city, Northport features a historic downtown, a vibrant arts community, and is home to multiple recreational areas and centers, which have recently been renovated or developed.