By james art On the eve of Magic city classicfour Alabama A&M University students competed against each other in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities eSports Tournament in an event that highlights the opportunities available to HBCU students in the sports and technology industries, through a partnership between RCX Sports Foundation and on Team Alabama.
The Week 83 edition of the Magic City Classic will feature a matchup between the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and the Alabama State Hornets on Saturday, October 26 at Legion Field. The event brings together HBCU students and alumni from across the country for a week of fun festivities, fellowship and camaraderie. The annual game is the largest HBCU Classic in the country.
Jaeveon Jordan, a senior at Alabama A&M University and winner of the eSports tournament, said the Classic is special to him because it brings HBCUs together.Alena Bookman
Jaeveon Jordan, a senior at Alabama A&M University and winner of the Esports tournament, said the Classic is special to him because it brings HBCUs together for a magical weekend where black students can show what they’re made of.
“Being at the tournament means a lot, especially being at the Magic City Classic. It’s really all about unity,” Jordan said. “Esports will be a big thing for many generations. I’m living proof that you can play video games and make something out of them.
Jordan took home $1,250 for his first place finish. Jordan has won numerous esports tournaments over the years, including the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Madden NFL 24 National Championship.
Jamaari Ramirez, a senior at Alabama A&M University and second place winner in the Esports tournament, picked up a $750 check. Ramirez said she will use her winnings to take care of groceries and home decorations.
The other two players, Amere Cornelius, an A&M senior, and Gregory Whaley, an A&M freshman, agreed it was a “blessing” and “awesome opportunity” to participate in the Classic weekend tournament.
“It was a fun experience. And it was an honor to be here,” Cornelius said.
“Opportunities through Sport”
Charisse Stokes (left), executive director of the Alabama Collective, and Izell Reese (right), president of the RCX Sports Foundation, said they want HBCU students to have more opportunities in the sports and tech industries.Alena Bookman
The RCX Sports Foundation and the Alabama Collective have come together for this tournament to drive diversity and inclusion in sports and technology by providing underrepresented students with new career opportunities.
Izell Reese, an Alabama native and president of the RCX Sports Foundation, is a former UAB football player and NFL veteran who is an advocate for expanding the accessibility and inclusion of youth sports.
The RCX Sports Foundation built the world’s first grass field under the NFL flag in Dothan.
“The Classic is a remarkable event that brings a lot of people together,” Reese said. “We’re looking at all areas of opportunity for youth and especially kids in under-resourced communities, kids of color, young women and making sure they have opportunities through sports.”
Charisse Stokes, CEO of Alabama Collectivee, said hosting events like the eSports tournament during the Magic City Classic helps show HBCU students what opportunities are available to them in Alabama.
“When you look at eSports and gaming, the technology fields around it are huge. This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to have it during the Classic and I think it’s a great time for them to also be exposed to the number of employers that we have here in the state of Alabama,” Stokes said.
“We’re starting to see that all HBCU students want to be in the classics. It’s a mature audience of people who are doing great work within industry, doing great work in government, and also in academia. This sheds light on it.
Other A&M students said attending the eSports tournament on the same weekend as the Classic was an exciting and new opportunity.
“This is my first time watching an Esports football game and it’s really wonderful because it’s my first time to watch a live football game at the Magic City Classic,” said Adekuni Adeyori, a student at Alabama A&M.
“It gives students a chance to see that there are other industries that are equally fulfilling and have equal opportunities for them. It also shows HBCU students that this is another field they can come in and shake up,” said Oluwaseun Omotayo, a student at Alabama A&M University.
Omotayo and a team of other Alabama A&M students won first place in the HBCU Business Pitch Competition earlier that day, taking home another win and $10,000 back to the university.