Mobile’s Mitchell Center was set to host the inaugural Bridge Builder Classic on Saturday, Jan. 29 — an exhibition event designed to become what organizers called the ultimate HBCU basketball experience in the city.
Mobile Aims to Be the ‘Home of HBCU Events’
The classic was created to boost exposure for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and highlight their role in educating aspiring professionals and developing future leaders.
“With the inception of the Gulf Coast Challenge and Bridge Builder Classic, the city of Mobile is quickly becoming recognized as the ‘Home of HBCU Events,’” said Kevin Ball, the classic’s managing partner, who added that he anticipated the event would become the premier showcase for Southwestern Athletic Conference basketball talent.
Local High Schools Share the Bill
The day featured regional SWAC programs Jackson State, Grambling State, Bethune-Cookman and Alabama State, but its distinctive wrinkle was the high school slate played on the same floor earlier in the day — giving local players a taste of the collegiate atmosphere and exposure to college programs.
The high school matchups included Williamson against C.F. Vigor of Prichard, Mattie T. Blount of Prichard against George W. Carver of Montgomery, Jess Lanier of Bessemer against John L. Leflore of Mobile, with games tipping off at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. The college doubleheader followed at 5 p.m., with Jackson State facing Grambling State, and 7 p.m., with Bethune-Cookman taking on Alabama State.