Dillard Univesrity is thrilled to announce the 1st Annual Battle of Divisions Baseball Invitational, set to ignite the 2025 baseball season with thrilling matchups from January 31-February 2, 2025, at the prestigious Wesley Barrow Stadium, home of the MLB Youth Academy in New Orleans. This historic event will feature a phenomenal gathering of eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) baseball programs, ofering an inspiring showcase of talent and academic excellence.
The invitational, a visionary collaboration between Dillard University, under the Guidance of Coach Rod White and Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), under the guidance of Coach Olan “OP” Parker, enjoys strong backing from Athletic Directors Dr. Linda Bell (Dillard University) and James Matthews, III (SUNO). This pioneering event unites 4 NAIA and 4 NCAA Division II teams, setting a commendable precedent for HBCU athletics.
Participating Teams:
– NAIA Institutions:
– Dillard University (New Orleans, LA)
– Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) (New Orleans, LA)
– Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA)
– Rust College (Holly Springs, MS
– NCAA Division II Institutions:
– Edward Waters University (Jacksonville, FL)
– Claflin University (Orangeburg, SC)
– Miles College (Birmingham, AL)
– Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA)
The initiative aims to bolster awareness and participation in HBCU small college baseball, while also highlighting the universities’ diverse academic programs. A key objective is engaging the local community, inviting elementary, middle, and high school students to experience the excitement of college baseball firsthand at no cost, fostering an early interest in the sport and higher education.
**Game Schedule:**
Friday, January 31
– Dillard vs Claflin: 10:00 AM
– Rust vs Miles: 12:30 PM
– SUNO vs Morehouse: 3:00 PM
– Xavier vs Edward Waters: 5:30 PM
Saturday, February 1
– Rust vs Morehouse: 10:00 AM
– SUNO vs Miles: 12:30 PM
– Xavier vs Claflin: 3:00 PM
– Dillard vs Edward Waters: 5:30 PM
Sunday, February 2
– SUNO vs Claflin: 10:00 AM
– Rust vs Edward Waters: 12:30 PM
– Dillard vs Morehouse: 3:00 PM
– Xavier vs Miles: 5:30 PM
(Note: Teams and times are subject to change.)
Join us for a weekend of competitive spirit, cultural pride, and community engagement. Together, let’s celebrate and elevate HBCU small college baseball this January in New Orleans!
Courtesy of A. Rod White Head Baseball Coach Dillard University