HBCU Athletic Conference Basketball Championships to Remain in Tuscaloosa

Visit Tuscaloosa will host the HBCU Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships for the next two years, after a successful first year as host in 2024.

The tournament will be held at Stillman College’s Birthright Alumni Hall with a six-day schedule of play from February 25 to March 2, 2025, and from February 24 to March 1, 2026. It is the second site announcement made in a week after Decatur Morgan County Tourism in Alabama will host the conference’s 2025 softball championship.

“Tuscaloosa is honored to continue our partnership with the HBCU Athletic Conference,” said Kelsey Rush, president and chief executive officer of Visit Tuscaloosa. “While hosting this first-class championship experience will bring economic benefits to our community, it also aligns with our desire to partner with local organizations and institutions such as Stillman College to showcase our dynamic community.”

The 2024 tournament marked the inaugural year of the partnership, which generated approximately $750,000 in economic impact for the local economy. With the addition of three new schools to the conference, the tournament will feature 13 institutions in 24 total games during the six days.

“Visit Tuscaloosa and Stillman College have been great partners and have helped elevate the championship experience for our men’s and women’s basketball tournaments,” said HBCUAC Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes. “Strategic partnerships like the one with Visit Tuscaloosa are critical to enhancing our brand, and having Stillman as the venue and member of our conference brings more awareness to the place ‘Where Winners Thrive.'”

Stillman College, which previously played in the Southern States Athletic Conference, was one of three new teams to join the HBCUAC, which rebranded from Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in July.

“After successfully hosting the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Basketball Championships in 2024, we are excited to extend our host bid and now be able to showcase our Stillman Tigers in the event as first-year members of the newly branded HBCU Athletic Conference,” said Terrance Whittle, Stillman College director of athletics. “Our community thrives on events that bring people together, and we are committed to offering an outstanding experience for all participants and spectators. We invite the Tuscaloosa community and West Alabama to join us in Birthright Alumni Hall throughout the tournament to experience a full week of competitive basketball.”