2025 HBCU Swingman Classic at Truist Park: A Celebration of Baseball and Black Excellence
Atlanta, GA – July 11, 2025 – As part of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week festivities at Truist Park, the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic will take center stage on Friday evening, showcasing the finest talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This cultural celebration, presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, highlights not only athletic prowess but also the rich heritage and community impact of HBCUs in America.
The game, airing live at 7:00 p.m. ET on MLB Network and all major MLB digital platforms, features 50 of the nation’s top HBCU baseball players. Selected by a panel including MLB representatives, scouts, and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., these athletes represent the best that HBCU baseball has to offer. Former Atlanta Braves star Brian Jordan and MLB All-Star David Justice will manage the National League and American League teams respectively, adding a competitive edge to the showcase while celebrating the spirit of HBCU competition.
Beyond the diamond, the Swingman Classic serves as a profound cultural and philanthropic gathering. Prior to the game, an exclusive HBCU Fair will connect high school students, families, and community leaders with recruiters and alumni from over 25 HBCUs as well as Divine Nine fraternities and sororities. This initiative aims to foster educational and career opportunities while strengthening the bonds among the Black college community.
Player engagement extends off the field with multiple community service projects and wellness activities. A notable highlight includes a personal growth discussion led by Martin Luther King III under the Realize the Dream Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring generational change and promoting 100 million hours of community service by 2029. This profound initiative ties the event’s cultural and athletic elements together, encouraging young athletes to pursue excellence within and beyond sports.
The event also spotlights HBCU cultural traditions through live performances by Grammy Award-winning artist AverySunshine and the Spelman College Glee Club, energizing the crowd with renditions of the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The renowned Georgia Mass Band will bring their signature showmanship to the ballpark, while Divine Nine fraternities and sororities deliver captivating step shows, exemplifying the unity and pride integral to HBCU identity. Comedy star Roy Wood Jr., himself an HBCU alumnus, will energize the crowd with his official “Play Ball!” call, adding a touch of humor and inspiration to the evening.
MLB continues its commitment to developing Black talent both on and off the field through the MLB Voices program, which offers aspiring HBCU broadcasters hands-on experience during the season, helping to build the next generation of sports media professionals. Additionally, the event supports the expansion of advanced baseball technologies at HBCU programs, aiming to elevate training and competitive standards on campus.
“This event offers a fantastic platform for players to showcase their skills on one of the biggest stages, and just as importantly, to celebrate the history and culture that have shaped these institutions,” said Del Matthews, MLB senior vice president of baseball development. “It’s about opportunity, exposure, and honoring a legacy that transcends the game itself.”
The 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic blends competition, culture, and community, reinforcing the vital role HBCUs play in American sports and society. The game’s visibility during MLB’s All-Star Week represents a major step forward in shining a spotlight on HBCU athletics, often overlooked in mainstream media despite their rich tradition and impact.
Looking ahead, this event sets the tone for greater collaboration between major sports organizations and HBCUs, promising increased resources, media exposure, and professional pathways for future athletes and scholars. It also deepens the ties between sports and cultural affirmation, reminding all that excellence at HBCUs is both a source of pride and a catalyst for opportunity.
Upcoming developments include expanded educational workshops, additional community initiatives, and continued efforts to integrate technology and media training into HBCU sports programs. For fans, the Swingman Classic is not just an all-star game; it is a celebration of heritage, talent, and the enduring power of Black excellence in collegiate athletics.