Bulldogs Rally Alumni, Culture and Community in Inaugural Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic

Under the lights of one of baseball’s most iconic ballparks, Alabama A&M delivered more than a win — it helped write a new chapter in the history of Black college baseball. The Bulldogs defeated Prairie View A&M 10-7 in the inaugural Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic at Wrigley Field, marking the first time Historically Black Colleges and Universities competed in the 112-year-old stadium that once hosted legends like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. Wrigley Field is the only existing Major League Baseball stadium where Jackie Robinson played during his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The moment carried added weight, coming 106 years to the day after the first Negro Leagues game was played in Chicago, connecting generations of Black baseball from past to present. The event transformed the ballpark into a celebration of culture and legacy, with hundreds of Alabama A&M and HBCU alumni and supporters filling the stands, turning the experience into what felt like a homecoming far from Normal.

“This is our homecoming for HBCUs in Chicago, so to have that is truly gratifying,” said Earnest Horton, CEO of Black Baseball Media, which partnered with Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs to host the event.

The Classic extended beyond nine innings, with Alabama A&M alumni participating in a week of events including mixers, a softball game, youth clinics and networking opportunities that reinforced the University’s national reach and community impact. The Classic capped a three-game series between Alabama A&M and Prairie View A&M, with Games 1 and 3 played May 1 and May 3 at Wintrust Field in Schaumburg, Illinois. Alabama A&M also expanded its visibility in Chicago with a billboard along Chicago Transit Authority tracks at West Roscoe and Ashland.

Throughout the game, the fan experience reflected a Major League atmosphere, with Alabama A&M players introduced on the videoboard before each at-bat and Chicago Cubs photographers capturing crowd shots that aired live during breaks in play. Pregame ceremonies featured the HBCU Alumni Choir, founded by Alabama A&M alumna and Chicago Alumni Chapter President Conneive Wheaton, performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Alabama A&M head coach Louis Whitlow said the significance of the night extended well beyond the final score, reflecting both the progress of his program and the broader momentum of HBCU baseball on a national stage.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “To compete here, represent Alabama A&M and be part of something this meaningful — it’s something our players will carry with them forever.”