City of Birmingham to host HBCU basketball invitational

BIRMINGHAM - Black College basketball comes to Birmingham on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002 with the arrival of the inaugural Heritage Basketball Invitational Classic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB), Bartow Arena.

The classic, which features Historically Black Colleges Alabama A&M, Benedict (SC), Miles (AL) and South Carolina State, gives Birmingham basketball fans a rare chance to check out several up-and-coming teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and the Birmingham based Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

The invitational, which is a one-day affair, is being put on by the nationally known engineering organization Epsilon Gamma Iota, Inc. Epsilon Gamma Iota, Inc. (the “Corporation”) was founded at Prairie View A&M University by the 38 Minds of Success with a conception date of Fall 1984 and a recognition date of Fall, Nov. 19, 1995 to promote Social, Service and Academic Advancement for predominately African American engineering, engineering technology, computer science and architecture students. In addition, the fraternity actively fosters a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. The incorporation date of Epsilon Gamma Iota as a Texas Non-Profit Corporation was June 30, 1992.

The chapter’s Red and Blue Foundation Alpha Chapter Alumni decided to host the inaugural Heritage Basketball Invitational Classic event as a way of giving exposure to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) through academic technology and athletic consulting of games and events. Proceeds raised from the event will help benefit, college bound high school students.

“We are dedicated to raising money to provide scholarships to high school students planning to attend a Historically Black College or University and major in architecture, engineering, engineering technology, computer science or related science programs,” said Heritage Classic Executive Director Kenyatta Cavil.

Even though the group is based in Texas, hosting the inaugural event in Birmingham was an easy choice.

“After extensive research by the Epsilon Gamma Iota, Inc. expansion and fundraising committees, it became easily apparent that Birmingham was a prime location due to it being centrally located between several SWAC, MEAC, SIAC, and independent HBCU (Tennessee State and Stillman) institutions,” Cavil said. “Along with Birmingham’s historical district, local support of basketball within the region towards several of the HBCU programs and the general family atmosphere of the area were also deciding factors.”

Besides the two basketball games, the classic will also revolve around several events for the socially minded fan. On Friday, Dec. 6, Epsilon has scheduled a Meet and Greet/Old School Jam Mixer and step show. On game day, Epsilon keeps the social atmosphere going with a pre-game mixer at the classic’s host hotel and a tailgate will be held. In addition, the festivities will continue throughout the night with a collegiate after-party.

Cavil promises two exciting match-ups during this year’s event. Birmingham’s own Miles College will square off against Benedict College while Alabama A&M University will face South Carolina State University. Cavil said those four teams were chosen due to a variety of factors.

“With the history of Epsilon Gamma Iota, Inc. and the mission of the Red and Blue Foundation in mind, the committee group suggested we kick-off the inaugural Heritage Basketball Invitational Classic to include at least one state-funded HBCU Division I program in the state of Alabama,” Cavil said. “So we came to the conclusion that Alabama A&M would be the Division I representative since they have a rich academic history and a newly established engineering program along with their great athletic basketball tradition. The Bulldogs’ basketball program was a natural fit.

“Once a SWAC program was decided upon we were very interested in creating a SWAC versus MEAC match-up,” Cavil added. “After we decided on AAMU we were made aware of previous occasions where AAMU and South Carolina State University had met. Considering South Carolina State University’s rich academic history, strong engineering program as well as their notorious strong athletic Bulldogs’ Basketball Program with several NCAA Basketball Tournament appearances, it was a easy decision.”

To generate interest within the city of Birmingham, Cavil said Epsilon looked no further than Birmingham’s own Miles College.

”Epsilon also wanted a local program with regards to the city of Birmingham, so we chose the Miles College Golden Bears’ Basketball Program. We paired them along with their new conference member Benedict College. Benedict’s program is ambitious and has had success in the NAIA’s Division I EIAC Conference. The game will be of interest due to the fact that Benedict is back in the SIAC after a long hiatus.

Cavil said this year’s tournament is just the beginning. He said Epsilon is working hard to ensure the invitational is played on a yearly basis.

“The contracts with Alabama A&M, South Carolina State, Miles and Benedict are one-year deals,” he said. “The Epsilon Gamma Iota, Inc. - Epsilon Alpha Chapter Alumni, Red & Blue Foundation has compiled a strategic five-year plan that will allow the Heritage Basketball Invitational Classic to grow into a three-day tournament consisting of eight NCAA Division I HBCU programs by gaining the NCAA exempt status in 2004. This plan includes a kick-off luncheon, community involvement with several local youth non-profit agencies, city and local officials, step-shows, adult mixers, tailgate, and a college after-party.”

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