Clayton detailed his vision during a press conference on Tuesday at the Arena to announce the inaugural eight-team event, which will feature men’s basketball teams from historically black colleges and universities.
In addition to the tournament, the Championship will feature seminars and information on health and economic empowerment. Internships will be created to assist students from HBCUs in gaining real-life experience in the workplace. Scholarships will be created to assist Atlanta-area students in attending HBCUs. Lastly, athletes from HBCUs will be given what is being called a first-of-its-kind opportunity to play against each other in the beginning of the season, giving them a chance to earn some respect instead of playing in guarantee games in which their schools make a little bit of money, but usually result in lopsided losses.
“This is far more than just a basketball championship,” said Clayton, who has been putting together the tournament for more than two years.
Morehouse will be one of the eight teams that will participate in the first tournament. Clayton said the rest of the field will be unveiled in a few weeks. The field will change each year (other than the potential of the defending champ returning) so that every one of the more than 100 HBCUs have a chance to participate. Chicago State, Central State and Tennessee State have been asked to play in next year’s event.
