VERO BEACH, Fla. – The 18th annual Andre Dawson Classic is underway at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, showcasing the talent and tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) baseball. The tournament, originally known as the Urban Invitational, continues its mission of highlighting these programs and providing a platform for their athletes.
This year’s Classic features seven HBCUs – Alabama State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Florida A&M University, Grambling State University, Jackson State University, Southern University, and Texas Southern University – alongside Yale University, marking the first time an Ivy League team has participated in the event. All games are being streamed live on MLB.com, with select matchups broadcast on MLB Network.
Friday’s action saw Alabama State defeat Florida A&M 11-4, Jackson State edge Texas Southern 3-2, and Southern dominate Grambling State with a 13-3 victory. Detailed box scores for each of these contests are available on MLB.com.
Saturday’s schedule features a full slate of games, beginning with a live broadcast of Southern versus Texas Southern. Later in the day, Yale will face Jackson State at 4 p.m. ET, a game that will be televised on MLB Network and streamed on Fubo. The evening will conclude with another MLB Network broadcast as Bethune-Cookman takes on Florida A&M at 8 p.m. ET, also available on Fubo.
The Andre Dawson Classic isn’t just about the games themselves; it’s a celebration of a rich baseball history. HBCUs have long been a vital source of talent for Major League Baseball, producing Hall of Famers like Lou Brock (Southern University) and, of course, the tournament’s namesake, Andre Dawson (Florida A&M University). The event recognizes the enduring legacy of Black college baseball and its contribution to the sport.
Sunday will bring the tournament to a close with three more contests. Grambling State will face Jackson State at 9 a.m. ET, followed by Alabama State against Texas Southern at 10 a.m. ET. The final game of the Classic will pit Florida A&M against Southern at noon ET.
The tournament’s structure, a round-robin format, ensures that each team has the opportunity to compete against a variety of opponents. This provides valuable experience for players and allows coaches to assess their teams’ strengths and weaknesses early in the season. The Jackie Robinson Training Complex, a state-of-the-art facility, provides an ideal setting for these games.
MLB’s commitment to the Andre Dawson Classic underscores the league’s broader efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in baseball. By investing in HBCU programs and providing a platform for their athletes, MLB is working to ensure that opportunities are available to all who aspire to play the game. The inclusion of Yale this year further broadens the tournament’s reach and highlights the potential for collaboration between different levels of collegiate baseball.
Fans can follow all the action live on MLB.com, with detailed game coverage, box scores, and highlights. The MLB Network broadcasts offer an additional opportunity to watch some of the tournament’s most compelling matchups. The Classic represents a significant event in the early-season college baseball calendar, and a testament to the enduring power of HBCU athletics.
