Andre Dawson Classic: A Celebration of HBCU Baseball
The 18th annual Andre Dawson Classic, a collegiate baseball tournament designed by Major League Baseball (MLB) to spotlight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs, concluded on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida.1 The tournament, originally known as the Urban Invitational, featured seven HBCU teams – Alabama State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Grambling State, Jackson State, Southern, and Texas Southern – along with Yale University, marking the first time an Ivy League team participated.3
Tournament Highlights and Results
The round-robin tournament provided a platform for these institutions to showcase their baseball talent, with all games streamed live on MLB.com and select matchups broadcast on MLB Network.1
Weekend Results
- Friday, February 20: Alabama State defeated Florida A&M 11-4. Jackson State edged Texas Southern 3-2; Southern dominated Grambling State 13-3.1
- Saturday, February 21: Texas Southern defeated Southern 15-13; Alabama State defeated Grambling State 14-5; Jackson State defeated Yale 6-5.1 Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M also competed, with the game being broadcast live on MLB Network.1
- Sunday, February 22: Grambling State faced Jackson State at 9 a.m. ET; Alabama State played Texas Southern at 10 a.m. ET; and Florida A&M battled Southern at 12 p.m. ET.1
Community Engagement and Legacy
The Andre Dawson Classic extends beyond the baseball field, emphasizing community engagement and highlighting the rich history of HBCU athletics.4 This year’s event included a field trip for students from Dodgertown Elementary School, providing them with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Jackie Robinson Training Complex and the opportunity to attend a game.4 Pre-game ceremonies on Saturday featured a performance by the Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band and a special presentation by Baseball Hall of Famer Andre Dawson, who presented a donation to Special Olympics Florida.4
The tournament honors the legacy of Andre Dawson, a Florida A&M University alumnus and Hall of Famer, and continues to provide a vital platform for HBCU baseball programs.3