The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE complete historically black college football experience will build excitement both on and off the field at the 2014 HBCUX Classic.

The matchup on the field between the Central State Marauders and Texas Southern Tigers is just one of the events that will headline the Bahamas HBCUX Classic September 12-13.

The weekend will get started 8am to 3pm September 12 with a Celebrity Golf Tournament at the One & Only Ocean Club. The tournament will be followed by a “Classic Old-School Party” 9pm until at the Atlantis resort. Game-day will feature a myriad of events beginning at 12pm with the Coca Village Tailgate Party.

The star-studded concert will feature performances from the Bahamas’ hottest recording artists as well as other regional and international acts.

The Tailgate Party will include a freestyle NPHC Greek stepshow and an appearance by R&B artist Jeremih.

The game takes place at 5pm and will be followed by the highly anticipated Battle of the Bands between Central State’s “Marching Maurauders” and Texas Southern’s “Ocean of Soul.”

Jahan Culbreath, athletic director at Central State University, said his team looks forward to being able to come to another country to experience a new culture.

“One thing we focus on at Central State University is academics first,” he said. “Yes, we are an athletics programme but it is about educating our students first and foremost. What will happen with this event is, it’s more than just a football game, but it’s about establishing new relationships. Life is about relationships and for us to be able to establish new relationships and renew old relationships. What we want is to get students here to matriculate to Central State University.

“We are known as the Mighty Marauder football team and our band is known as the invincible marching Marauders. We have a new head football coach intact and we look forward to a good battle on the football field as well as in the battle of the bands, we are going to bring it to the Bahamas and bring it to Texas Southern University.”

Dr Charles McClelland, athletic director for Texas Southern, said he wants to bring the entire Texas Southern University culture to the island and make it always be remembered for making an impact.

“It’s going to be a wonderful game. We are bringing back 19 of 21 starters. We have one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in our conference, and we have a defensive back who is on pace to be drafted by an NFL franchise, so we have a pretty decent team. We play an uptempo style and when we unleash the band, about 150-175 orchestrated individuals and I don’t know if you have had a chance to see an HBCU band, but it is something that you have never seen before. We expect this classic to be huge here and we are going to do everything we can to bring all of the pageantry that we are supposed to bring in this football game. We are going to give you a great show but we will also create a pathway to Texas Southern University.”

Harrison Thompson, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, said the Bahamas HBCUX Classic will not only bring more people to our beautiful islands but also allow Bahamians to see the full HBCU football at home. “It is one of our niche markets that we will be utilising to help to build our tourism product in the Bahamas,” he said.

“Sports is something that all of us are aware of, its importance and the role it can play in shaping lives. This is another avenue to get more people to come to our country and to enjoy the culture aesthetics and heritage that we have here in the Bahamas. It will bring a great image to the Bahamas and it will help their programmes as well. I hope that this can spark many more Bahamians to matriculate to these schools. Bahamians have a chance to participate in so many other things. So they are invited to plan for this weekend and celebrate with us.”

Joy Ann Jibrilu, director-general of tourism, said the event will be another major development in the Sports in Paradise initiative. “We expect thousands of visitors. We know that 500 team members are coming for this event and that includes both schools, their football players and band members. They will become accompanied by family, by alumni, by fans by sports legends so it truly promises to be an incredible event,” she said. “It is an event for all the family. It will showcase the Bahamas and the possibility that exists for others that are interested in coming for future games so this is something to be excited about.”