HBCU NY Classic Exposes Kids To HBCUs Via Career Fairs, Scholarships, Events

HBCU NY Classic's weeklong schedule of events is designed to introduce the younger generation to HBCUs.
HBCU NY Classic Exposes Kids To HBCUs Via Career Fairs, Scholarships, Events
HBCU NY Classic Exposes Kids To HBCUs Via Career Fairs, Scholarships, Events /

HOUSTON — Grambling State, Florida A&M, Southern University, and Jackson State are nationally recognized for their legendary football programs within the HBCU community — unlike Morehouse College and Howard University.  The latter two institutions are better known for producing outstanding Black leaders, professionals, and other luminaries in our country.  For some, HBCU NY Classic CEO, Albert Williams, was taking a substantial risk gambling on the Bison and Maroon Tigers football teams to draw a crowd at the inaugural event last September.  Well, his gamble paid off.  

Over 35,000 fans from across the country attended the contest at MetLife Stadium, where Howard trounced Morehouse 31-0. Besides the score, the event was fantastic.  "It's humbling that we pulled it off last year," HBCU NY Classic CEO Albert Williams told HBCU Legends.  "The trust factor the institutions have in us for the long haul is humbling."

The long haul Williams mentioned is the long-term pact to bring Howard back in 2024 and 2025 to the HBCU NY Classic against Morehouse College. "We're going to have Morehouse-Albany State in 2023.  You will have Howard-Morehouse in '24 and '25.  Every three years or so, will be Howard playing in the classic."

The storied institutions have diverse fanbases, mainly on the east coast, but alumni usually travel well for homecomings and featured sporting events.   With this in mind, Williams envisioned a more profound purpose for having the HBCU NY Classic in the Big Apple and New Jersey area.

"Bringing the game to New York allows us to expose our New York City kids to an HBCU school," Williams explained.  "With the week of events, we want to give them that college life experience.  It's an accident that we call the week 'HBCU NY Classic Week.'  It's not a coincidence. It's by design the game culminates the week."

The HBCU NY Classic Week will sponsor two HBCU career fairs (all HBCUs were invited), a Black Greek step show, and other events before Saturday's game.  "We're having a career fair in New York and New Jersey because the kids can't cross the bridge.  Also, most of these school districts can't afford a trip to New York City.  One will be in Newark, New Jersey, where the mayor is a Howard graduate, by the way.  We're bringing the 'HBCUs to The Apollo' and HBCU Inspired, similar to a TED Talk event.  The same night at The Apollo, we'll have the 'Great Debate' onstage.  It's never been done before there.  We will give scholarships, Wells Fargo, Toyota, and several other sponsors."

The partnership between Williams and his HBCU NY Classic team with Morehouse and Howard is unique and critically important.  The Supreme Court ruling to gut affirmative action applications for admission to colleges and universities will create a ripple effect on HBCUs.  Exposing young children, parents, and guardians to black institutions of higher learning will become the norm again, just as before the Civil Right Movement era.

The HBCU NY Classic may be a game to most, but it may become a recruiting resource for historically black colleges and universities nationwide.  Williams concluded, "We definitely want to invite more and more people from all HBCUs within the area to support the event during the entire week and weekend.  We want that passion to run across all HBCUs.  We have a great relationship with MetLife stadium and our sponsors, and the support from the New York Giants and Jets organizations is invaluable."

The HBCU NY Classic between Morehouse College and Albany State University will be held at 3:00 PM ET in MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.  An expanded version of tailgating will occur inside MetLife's parking lot area. Travel accommodation and ticket information are posted online at www.hbcunyclassic.com.


Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: