Austin, TX
3rd Annual HBCU Live Xperience Basketball Classic set in Texas
Austin, TX – Huston-Tillotson University’s men’s and women’s basketball programs are set to compete in the 3rd Annual HBCU Live Xperience Basketball Classic on November 8th and 9th, 2024, at the Austin Convention Center. This year’s event will feature The Conference Challenge, pitting teams from the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) against teams from the newly named HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC). Representing the RRAC will be Huston-Tillotson University’s men’s and women’s teams, Jarvis Christian University’s men’s team, and Paul Quinn College’s men’s team. Competing for the HBCUAC will be Wiley University’s men’s and women’s teams, along with Philander Smith’s men’s team. Huston-Tillotson will proudly represent Austin in the men’s and women’s matchups.
Battle of The Border
In addition to The Conference Challenge, the Classic will host the Battle of the Border, which will showcase the Texas vs. Oklahoma rivalry as Langston University takes on Paul Quinn College. The event is capped off with a College and Career Fair, bringing community engagement alongside elite-level basketball. HBCU+, the leading platform for HBCU sports and culture, will be broadcasting the event live, giving fans nationwide access to all the excitement.
First-Year Head Coach John A. Smith of Huston-Tillotson University stated, “It is such an honor to have our Huston-Tillotson young men participate in this basketball event featuring Historically Black Colleges and Universities with such prestigious tradition on and off the court. Having the HBCU Classic at the Austin Convention Center downtown is a win for fans, providing a centrally located venue that will draw more of a crowd for the student-athletes to perform. We are looking forward to giving our best effort and implementing a playing style to make our alumni and supporters proud as we build foundational blocks in my first year here at HT.”
Huston-Tillotson Women’s Head Coach Kendall DuCree added, “It’s exciting and an honor to participate in this HBCU Classic. We are not only representing our families and Huston-Tillotson but also the city of Austin. We are looking forward to a great time and experience.”
Mario Davis, Special Initiatives Manager at the Austin Area Urban League, added, “We are thrilled to showcase the Huston-Tillotson Rams on such a prominent stage. This event is about more than basketball – it’s about community, tradition, and empowering our student-athletes both on and off the court. With HBCU+ as our broadcast partner, we’re excited to bring this celebration of HBCU sports to a national audience.”
The HBCU Live Xperience Basketball Classic offers a unique opportunity for the Austin community to come together, celebrating the rich heritage and athletic excellence of HBCUs, while enjoying a dynamic weekend of basketball.
About the Austin Area Urban League?
Founded in 1977, the Austin Area Urban League is a nonprofit organization aimed at enriching the lives of citizens within the greater Central Texas Region. The Austin Area Urban League is one of more than 90 affiliates of the National Urban League providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of thousands in the Central Texas region. Aligning with the Empowerment pillars of the National Urban League, the Austin Area Urban League seeks to meet the needs of underserved populations in the Austin and Central Texas region by focusing on programming and services in the areas of Education and Youth Development, Workforce and Career Development, Health and Wellness, Housing and Community Development, and Justice and Advocacy.? ?
To learn more about the Austin Urban League and how you can support their programming, visit www.aaul.org.?
Related
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that can cause explosive diarrhea, has been confirmed in Texas, prompting health officials to urge extra precautions when handling fresh produce.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 48 cases of cyclosporiasis across 10 Texas counties. State health officials say there have been no deaths linked to the outbreak so far.
There are no reported cases in Southeast Texas at this time, and Port Arthur officials say they have not received any reported cases from area hospitals or health care providers. Still, health officials say now is the time to take extra precautions.
Judith Smith, Port Arthur’s director of health services, said cyclosporiasis is caused by “a microscopic parasite that is usually found in contaminated food and contaminated water.”
Smith said contamination typically stems from floodwater or sewage water when produce is harvested, allowing parasites to transfer to produce long before it reaches consumers.
“I have not heard of an outbreak like this. It’s been a while. It might have been 2023, 2024, and so, you know, and of course, Texas is not immune,” Smith said.
Smith said foods that are eaten raw can pose a higher risk. “Those foods that are not cooked are the ones that really make you more at risk,” she said.
Health officials recommend washing raw produce, including lettuce, cilantro, raspberries and basil. They also recommend cleaning cutting boards, refrigerating fresh goods and throwing away any remaining produce after experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite and a low-grade fever. “Those individuals that may have that watery diarrhea or really just more than two to three days should seek medical attention,” Smith said.
Testing can confirm the parasite, and early treatment can help prevent more serious complications, especially for children and elderly relatives. Health care experts recommend contacting a health care provider as soon as possible if persistent stomach cramps and other symptoms develop after eating fresh produce.
The Texas Longhorns are less than two months away from starting their regular season slate of the 2026 schedule.
Just like last season, the Longhorns have been given unrealistic expectations by some, but will look to avoid the slow start that had everyone counting them out in September. On paper, the Longhorns should be a lot better than they were last season.
A national championship run should be on the table for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his team. One of the reasons that is a possibility is due to the Longhorns have something in common with previous national championship winners.
Legacy Year
Last season, the college football world was enamored by the Indiana Hoosiers. A program that no one saw ever winning the national championship, was hoisting the trophy at the end of the season.
Now, the Hoosiers had a talented roster from top to bottom. But the play of starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the leading factor in this team reaching the mountaintop.
Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has the chance to make that same impression this season. After his first full season as the starting quarterback in Austin last year, there is a growing confidence that Manning is going to be on another level in 2026.
Last season, Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdown passes. If you were to compare those numbers to Mendoza’s last season, the Hoosiers quarterback threw for 3,535 yards and an impressive 41 touchdown passes.
Those numbers make it clear that Manning will have to elevate his performance this season. With a revamped offensive line, the Longhorns quarterback may have the time to rival the numbers of Mendoza from this past season.
But another key piece to the Longhorns’ 2026 roster is a massive wide receiver addition.
It’s going to take the whole village, and Coach Sarkisian went out and got one of the most talented wide receivers in the transfer portal with Cam Coleman.
Coleman had two solid years with the Auburn Tigers and now will look to be the deep field threat for Manning and the Longhorns. The junior receiver’s addition to the roster could take this offensive unit to being one of the top units in the country.
All championship teams have a quarterback who could lead them to victory. Manning could very well be the next elite quarterback to hold a national championship trophy.
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Join several Austin labor unions and community members to honor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s life and the countless immigrants who have been impacted by ICE.
The community vigil will take place at the Wildflower Church on Saturday, July 11th starting at 6 PM. All are welcome to bring flowers and candles as we honor the loss of life and grieve the separation of families.
Community Vigil Details
🗓️ July 11, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
🗺️ 1314 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
🚗 Public transit and rideshare encouraged! Limited parking available and overflow parking may be available at Travis High School.
Please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe if you are able: https://bit.ly/atx4lorenzo
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