Esports and Magic City Classic Open Opportunities for HBCU Students: ‘Unity’

On Christmas Eve A classic of the Magic Cityfour Alabama A&M University students competed head-to-head in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Esports Tournament in an event that highlighted the opportunities available to HBCU students in the sports and technology industries, thanks to a partnership between RCX Sports Foundation and Alabama Collective.

The 83rd edition of the Magic City Classic week will feature a matchup between the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and the Alabama State Hornets on Saturday, October 26 at Legion Field. This event brings together HBCU students and alumni from across the country for a week full of fun, community and camaraderie. The annual matchup is the largest HBCU Classic event in the country.

Jaeveon Jordan, a senior at Alabama A&M University and e-sports tournament winner, said the Classic is special to him because it brings together HBCUs into one magical weekend where Black students can show what they can do.

“Being at the tournament means a lot to me, especially being at the Magic City Classic. It’s really about unity,” Jordan said. “Esports will be a big deal for many generations to come. I am living proof that you can play video games and make something out of it.”

For first place, Jordan took home $1,250. 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 runner-up in the e-sports tournament, took home a check for $750. Ramirez said he would spend his winnings on groceries and home decor.

The other two players, Amere Cornelius, an A&M senior, and Gregory Whaley, an A&M freshman, agreed that it was a “blessing” and a “great opportunity” to play in the Classic weekend tournament.

“It was a fun experience. It was an honor to be here,” Cornelius said.

“Possibilities through sport”

The RCX Sports Foundation and Alabama Collective came together for this tournament to promote diversity and inclusion in sports and technology while 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 making youth sports more accessible and inclusive.

The RCX Sports Foundation built the world’s first turf field with an NFL flag in Dothan.

“The Classic is an event that brings a lot of people together,” Reese said. “We’re looking at opportunities for young women in all areas, especially kids from under-resourced communities, kids of color and young women, and making sure they have opportunities through sports.”

Charisse Stokes, Executive Director of Alabama Collectivee, said hosting events like the esports tournament at 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 field around it is huge. This was the first time we had the opportunity to participate in this at the Classic, and I think it’s a great time for them to become familiar with the number of employers we have here in the state of Alabama,” Stokes said.

“We’re starting to see all HBCU students want to take part in the classic. This is a mature audience of people who are doing great work in industry, in government, and also in academia. It sheds light on it.”

Other A&M students said participating in an 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 the first time I’ll see a live football game at the Magic City Classic,” Alabama A&M student Adekuna Adeyori told Adekuna Adeyori.

“It gives students the chance to see that there are other industries that are equally rewarding and give them equal opportunities. It also shows HBCU students that this is another field they can pursue,” said Oluwaseun Omotayo, a student at Alabama A&M University.

Earlier in the day, Omotayo and a team of other Alabama A&M students won first place in the HBCU Business Pitch Competition, earning another victory and $10,000 back to the university.