By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
America has a fixation and obsession when it comes to football. It is without much debate that we can say football is in our front mirror all year round.
Each August, our proclamations and predictions turn to football. We cannot wait for our favorite team to take the field. Some of us have more than one favorite team so we are constantly on edge. We have our football gear ready to wear.
Football at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) is back for another exciting season. Each of the HBCU conferences has an exciting lineup of games and of course, homecoming games as well.
Attending an HBCU football game means having fun and a good time. It’s not only the game itself, but it’s the fellowship as well. When I was an undergraduate student at Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU located in Charlotte NC, football Saturdays were a big deal. Some of the players were our roommates so that gave us an extra reason to cheer.
Upon reflection, the football team was a part of us. We ate together in the same cafeteria, went to the same chapel services, attended the same lyceum programs and went to the same dances.
The football coaches were also a part of our daily campus life. They were our teachers and our advisers. Wearing the title coach meant being totally invested in the life of the college.
Historical records show that the first HBCU football game was played on December 27, 1892, between Biddle College, now Johnson C. Smith University and Livingstone College located in Salisbury NC. These schools compete today in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association).
Back in the day, HBCU games were not televised. Today they are. Just recently, Florida A&M University played Norfolk State University on ABC television. There will be more HBCU games on television over the season.
Beginning August 31st, HBCU Go Sports started to televise games from the SWAC, CIAA and SIAC each Saturday. For example, on August 31st, Virginia Union University competed against Kentucky State University in Frankfort KY. Another match- up on September 7th saw Tuskegee University taking on Grambling State University in Grambling LA.
The Allen Media Group says there will be 8 games from the CIAA, 9 games from the SIAC and 14 games from the SWAC. This will include the Southern Heritage Classic, 6 homecoming games and the CIAA Football Championship.
Byron Allen, Founder/ Chairman/CEO of HBCU parent company, Allen Media Group says, “As we enter HBCU Go’s third football season, we are proud to showcase the very best HBCU match-ups. Now is the time for HBCUs, and HBCU Go is the true destination for coverage of Black college sports and culture.”
If you want to see some fantastic college football, check out the entire HBCU Go line up. Many of us travel to these games and tailgate with our family and friends. They will have your favorite chicken, ribs, potato salad, mac and cheese. Don’t forget the chocolate cake and bread pudding.
I believe it is vitally important that we support this media outlet as much as possible. Never have we had this kind of exposure for Black College sports. The era of Black College sports is growing each year. We are receiving the applause and the acclaim that is long overdue. We have writers that are tuned in to Black College sports. Be sure to read columns by Kyle T. Mosley and Steven Gaither as you will see their in-depth analysis and interviews. Listen to sports announcers like Charlie Neal who is the first African American to receive the National Football Foundation Chris Schenkel Award. His commentary will make you feel like you are in the stands.
I know you are ready for some football so get ready for some first downs and some touchdowns. HBCU football will bring it all to you.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
