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This marks the second year the Blackbelt will serve as the backdrop for the HBCU Pigskin Showdown.
Event organizer and Executive Director/Co-Founder of HBCU Pigskin Showdown, Chris Williams, said it was important to bring the events back to the Blackbelt.
"We chose to bring the event back to the Blackbelt because of the historic significance of the area," he said. "We just feel like it’s a perfect place for our HBCU initiative since the area is rooted in Civil Rights."
The college and career fair will kick off the week on Wednesday, December 14th 10am- 1pm. The fair will be held at the old Concordia College location at 1712 Broad Street Selma, Alabama 36701.
Event organizers said there will be over five high schools visiting with at least 12 recruiters from varying HBCUs from across the nation.
Gaining even more community support is essential to making the events a success in the area and Williams hopes to start more partnerships with local organizations.
"This year we hope that we can attract more local support," he said. "Our overall goal is to make the HBCU Pigskin Showdown a permanent fixture in the Blackbelt."
Williams said he hopes this year garners even more attention than its inaugural year and become an annual staple in the area.
"We were proud of the first year of our event," he said. "We feel that we have attracted the attention of nationwide supporters and will go even further since we have partnered NBC Sports."
Williams said the purpose of HBCU Pigskin Showdown is to spotlight HBCU players and provide them the opportunity to be seen by football scouts.
"My overall goal for the Showdown this year is to facilitate opportunities for HBCU players," he said. "In a sense, we are fighting for equal rights for HBCU players to be evaluated by professional football scouts."
Throughout the week, players will be gearing up for the game on Saturday, which will serve as the culmination of the week's events.
"This year we will focus more on the presentation of the game by involving local organizations, clubs, and schools," he said. "We hope that the Blackbelt will feel as if this is their event and enjoy all of the activities planned during the week. Practices will be in both Selma and Marion."
Organizers have a busy week ahead as they plan for several events throughout the week and weekend.
"We will have a Selma Fan Day and a Marion Fan Day where everyone can meet the players, take pics, and get autographs," Williams said. "We will also have a Pre-Game Party with games, a bouncy slide, and entertainment for all 9:00am-11:30am and Kickoff will be 12:00 noon.
Schedule of Events are as follows:
Wednesday, December 14th
College & Career Fair (10:00am – 1:00pm)
Fan Day Selma (10:00am – 1:00pm) - Free admission
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Fan Day Marion (10:00am – 1:00pm) - Free admission
Alabama HBCU Hall of Fame Dinner (7:00pm – Until)
Friday, December 16, 2022
Unity Parade (12:00noon – 1:30pm) - Edmund Pettus Bridge
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Pre-Game Party (9:30am – 11:00am) - Outside Marion Military Institute Stadium
HBCU Pigskin Showdown (12:00noon) -Marion Military Institute
HBCU Pigskin Showdown 5th Quarter (Post-Game Battle of the Bands) - Marion Military Institute Stadium
