The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE “Sports in Paradise” initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture continue to shape the sports profile of the Bahamas as they announced another milestone venture for the Bahamas in American football.

For the first time, two Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) will play a multi-year football classic in the Bahamas.

“The Bahamas HBCUX Classic” will feature a weekend of events in fall in the capital, including a football game and battle of the bands competition between Central State and Texas Southern Universities, preceded by a star-studded tailgate concert.

The game is scheduled to be held at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium 5pm Saturday, September 13.

Curtis Symonds, founder of the HBCUX Network, said bringing the football game to the Bahamas will truly be a “unique experience” on so many different levels.

“I have a deep appreciation of the Islands. This historic event gives us the opportunity for us to showcase the Bahamas, its people, culture and what it brings to the table. For me it’s a dream come true, to be able to bring a black college football classic to the islands. We plan to really grow it year after year after year. HBCUX, what we want to highlight and bring to the islands is the experience of going to a black college. Take it a next step - what we want to do is drive the education, the empowerment and the culture that we have here in the Bahamas. We want it to continue to grow year after year after year.

“The network is going to provide a network to help young students in the Bahamas get to historically black colleges. Part of our programme will be having a career fair to be able to recruit even more students and student athletes to attend our HBCUs. So we need your support not only for the game but to enrol in our universities.”

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 Univerity culture to the island and make it always be remembered for making an impact.

“We don’t want to just come in for one year and leave, we want to be a part of this island. Texas Southern has been the home of many Bahamian students in the past. We get out there and go and play football and have an opportunity to entertain, but it’s about education. That is what athletics is all about and that is what we want to bring to this island,” he said. “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.”

Texas Southern University also stressed the academic aspect of the partnership by offering two full scholarships to Bahamian students.

The criteria of the scholarships and recipients will be determined by the involved ministries.

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 experience 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.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson said the Bahamas “Sports in Paradise” initiative continues to pay dividends.

“We are selling the Bahamas as a brand and we are first in the world, better than any other country in this arena. This is an historic moment because this is the most successful black run nation on the planet and if you are a HBCU you should be here to see what we do,” he said. “You are coming here in a partnership. You are not alone, we will help, the federations will help you, and you will really see why we say ‘It is better in the Bahamas’”.